- Action oriented
- Values focused
- Relationship skilled
About David
David Smith is an Iowa-licensed LMHC with 25 years of clinical experience. He helps people who are feeling stuck by focusing on practical steps that lead to change. He works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship struggles, and coping with life changes.
He sees therapy as a team effort. Sessions tend to be straightforward and action-oriented while also making room for empathy and listening. David helps clients identify what keeps them from reaching their goals and then tests new ways of thinking and behaving that feel manageable.
David draws from several therapeutic approaches to match the work to each person. He often uses cognitive-behavioral techniques to change patterns of thinking and behavior, client-centered methods to create a respectful working relationship, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and build meaningful action. He also applies insights from the Gottman Method when relationship issues are present.
Over his career he has supported people dealing with family of origin issues, communication problems, codependency, commitment challenges, and the stresses of fatherhood. He has experience addressing substance concerns, forgiveness work, and issues common to first responders.
David invites regular feedback during therapy so the plan stays useful and realistic. To start, he asks people to reflect on goals and to try small experiments between sessions. He encourages straightforward conversation about progress and what might need to change next.
How these approaches guide online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and commit to small, consistent actions that match those values; it is useful for anxiety, depression, and feeling stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and habits, then testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. The Gottman Method offers practical tools for communication and repair when relationship issues are a focus.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work with clients to choose or adapt methods based on each person’s goals, preferences, and the problems they want to solve. That collaborative planning makes it easier to try techniques and adjust course if something does not feel helpful.
Please confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking, since specific formats were not listed in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by allowing shorter check-ins, avoiding travel time, or offering options that work better when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Licensed professionals can translate the same therapeutic methods used in person into an online setting so the work focuses on practical change and strong communication.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does this therapist help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship struggles, and coping with life changes, plus related concerns like communication problems and codependency.
What is the general style of therapy?
Therapy is pragmatic and collaborative, combining listening with concrete steps and experiments to change patterns over time.
How long has he practiced?
He brings 25 years of professional experience to his practice and uses that background to shape practical treatment plans.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor - practicing in Iowa.
In which languages can I work with him?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed in the biography.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.