Hi, I'm Sandy Smith (or Dr. Sandy). I have enjoyed working with people from all walks of life as they encounter challenges or roadblocks to finding joy and satisfaction in their lives, relationships and/or circumstances. I am a licensed therapist (LCSW) in Utah and California. I bring over 20 years of experience in counseling, coaching, and teaching college at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. I have worked in a variety of settings including family and trauma centered agencies, hospitals, (including a crisis team, emergency departments, maternity, labor and delivery, and NICU), and also have spent many years working in a prison as a primary clinician for inmates with moderate to severe mental health issues and with a variety of levels of criminal history. I have been fortunate in being able to bring my expertise to any and all situations and recognize how finding joy in our relationships with others, as well as at work and home, can so greatly impact our overall joy in life.
Relationships can be so wonderful! But, they can also be the source of pain and self-sacrifice. For this reason we can say that these are some of the times we grow the most in life as we learn to balance our own needs with the needs of others. Early on , I worked for our state's Governor's Commission on Marriage heading a focus group where we researched helpful marriage and relationship enrichment programs. Foundational to success is communication and understanding. I was fortunate to have been mentored by experts in the field. I have enjoyed witnessing the growth and success of many people and couples more successfully navigate their significant relationships. I take a holistic approach, looking at all of the possible pieces to the puzzle of life and it's many kinds of relationships. This means taking into consideration all of the things that can and do affect a person or a relationship's integrity and happiness, such as their history, personal and relational, their physical, social, spiritual, financial, mental and emotional experiences, challenges and needs. I have also been able to help many people with either current or previous physical trauma and/or emotional abuse and work with partners in relationships with someone with an abuse or trauma history.
I'd love to be part of your journey.
My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating all people with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I dislike judging and labels. I always want to understand your specific concerns and allow you to guide treatment to meet your unique and specific needs.
Thank you for considering seeking support - it's an important step for your life, even if it isn't an easy one!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Blended Family Issues, Codependency, Communication problems, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and separation, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Hearing Impaired, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
UT LCSW 103299-3501
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Sandra Smith. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I´m so happy and thankful I met Dr. Smith. She´s a wonderful person, and I felt comfortable sharing the most private things with her. I learned a lot, and now I feel well prepared to face and work on my problems with a clear head.
Written on Aug 19, 2022 after therapy with Sandra for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes
She’s wonderful. We did a tapping session for trauma and it’s been so helpful. She always gives such helpful tips to incorporate into my daily life.
Written on Jun 16, 2022 after therapy with Sandra for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and self esteem
Dr. Sandy has been tremendously helpful in guiding me through the ups and downs of a new and unique relationship. By helping strengthen my emotional regulation and crisis management skills, her counselling and coaching has made a lifelong impact on me. I will forever be grateful to Dr. Sandy (and to Betterhelp for facilitating such a convenient platform!) for all of her commitment and compassion.
Written on Apr 08, 2022 after therapy with Sandra for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Dr. Sandra is so intuitive and helpful
Written on Feb 01, 2022 after therapy with Sandra for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, adhd, intimacy-related issues, and grief
Dr. Smith is incredible. In our first session, she was able to provide practical ways to improve my communication with myself and others.
Written on Jul 28, 2021 after therapy with Sandra for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, compassion fatigue, and adhd