Marianne Smith , LPC

Marianne Smith is an Arizona licensed therapist with 28 years of clinical experience who brings a steady, compassionate approach to therapy. As an LPC - a Licensed Professional Counselor - she has spent decades supporting people through trauma, major life transitions, relationship challenges, mood concerns, and caregiving stress. She is motivated by the resilience she has observed in others and draws on that belief in people’s ability to recover and grow when guiding her work.

Her early interest in human behavior and psychology led her to pursue formal training later in life, supported by a mentor who encouraged her to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees before obtaining licensure. That varied path contributes to a practical, grounded perspective in sessions. Marianne blends direct, straightforward communication with a friendly, easygoing manner to create an atmosphere where clients feel heard and respected.

She values diversity and authenticity, and she works to help people identify inner strengths, clarify goals, and develop skills to manage stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, grief, self-esteem, and other life challenges. Marianne maintains weekday office hours Monday through Friday with some scheduling flexibility; she is not currently accepting new clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Marianne uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where a person’s own goals and values guide the work. This approach helps people explore feelings, build self-awareness, and strengthen confidence in their own decision making. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and panic symptoms by teaching practical skills and structured strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, combines acceptance and change strategies and provides concrete tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving relationships, which can be helpful for mood instability and intense emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Marianne collaborates with each person to understand their needs, goals, and preferences and tailors methods accordingly so the plan fits the individual rather than forcing a single technique.

Online therapy offers flexible options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow continuity of care when schedules change, and expand access for those who prefer to meet from home or another convenient location. Licensed professionals can adapt core therapeutic tools to work effectively across these communication channels.