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LPC

Joanna Smith, LPC

  • Experience4 years
  • LocationArizona
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, LGBT, and Relationship
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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About Joanna

Joanna Smith is an LPC practicing in Arizona who draws on several evidence-informed methods to guide clients through stress, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and identity exploration.

Background and approach

She brings four years of clinical experience to a practice that emphasizes affirmation and practical support for people navigating sexuality, interpersonal conflict, workplace strain, mood shifts, and addictive patterns. Joanna prioritizes helping clients build self-compassion, clearer communication, and healthier coping strategies.

Her work combines trauma-informed care with a client-centered stance that honors individual values and goals. Joanna often weaves in Internal Family Systems ideas alongside acceptance and attachment-informed techniques to help people process painful memories, understand inner conflicts, and strengthen stable connections in relationships.

She also integrates tools for emotion regulation and relapse prevention when addressing substance use and co-occurring concerns. Joanna aims to create an environment where clients can explore identity, intimacy, and life transitions without judgment.

She supports practical problem solving and long-term growth, collaborating with each person to develop realistic steps toward improved well-being and relationship repair.

How integrative approaches translate to online care

Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps clients notice and dialogue with different parts of themselves, fostering internal cooperation and reducing self-criticism; this approach can be useful for people wrestling with shame, inner conflict, or identity exploration. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes clarifying personal values and learning skills to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to meaningful actions, which can aid with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of relating and helps clients develop more supported ways of connecting with others, making it helpful for intimacy issues and communication problems.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. Joanna works with clients to explore which methods fit their needs and goals, adjusting techniques over time based on what proves most helpful. The process emphasizes client preferences and practical outcomes rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it possible to maintain continuity of care during life changes, manage therapy around work or caregiving responsibilities, and access consistent support from licensed professionals without geographic travel.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Joanna commonly address?
Joanna works with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related problems, career and life transitions, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is trauma-informed and client-centered, combining acceptance, attachment-focused work, and practical coaching to help clients build self-compassion and improve communication.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has four years of experience providing therapeutic support to people facing mood concerns, trauma histories, and relationship challenges.
What credentials and location are associated with this therapist?
Joanna is a Licensed Professional Counselor, credentialed as AZ LPC LPC-24879, and she practices in Arizona.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are conducted in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does she offer?
Joanna provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees and payment handled?
Costs vary depending on location and therapist availability; sessions are offered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in starting therapy with her?
To begin, choose the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a time based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseCoaching

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameInfidelityLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyEmotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

4+ years

Licensed

Arizona

Languages

English