In search of a licensed therapist? Fort Smith, AR is home to plenty—and with BetterHelp, you can look beyond Sebastian County and find the therapist that’s right for you.
With BetterHelp, you’re not limited to the mental health professionals in the river valley—we network with therapists across Arkansas, meaning you can connect with a clinician who specializes in your area of need and offers the counseling style you prefer.
No matter what you’re dealing with—whether it’s a mental illness like depression or anxiety, a behavioral health issue like an addiction or eating disorder, or the aftermath of a traumatic experience—BetterHelp can match you with a therapist who is equipped to offer the evidence-based mental health care you need.
Our network includes licensed professional counselors (LPC) and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) trained in a number of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, and more.
Through BetterHelp, you can access these counseling services from the comfort of home, or anywhere with an internet connection. In weekly sessions with your therapist, you can uncover the root of your struggles and develop actionable strategies for working through them. You’ll also benefit from group therapy, in-platform journaling and therapy homework, and educational webinars, helping you get the most out of your mental health investment.
Life isn’t easy—but with the skills and insight learned in therapy, you can gain the ability to deal with whatever’s around the corner. Get started today to match with a therapist and discover why thousands of Arkansans trust BetterHelp to deliver the mental health care needed to thrive.

Morganne Brown
Welcome! Taking the first step and searching for a therapist can be overwhelming. Identifying the perfect fit based on a short description can be difficult. You have taken a huge step in starting the healing process. My name is Morganne Brown and I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Arkansas. Recently, I obtained my certification in perinatal mental health which includes pregnancy, birth, and postpartum issues. Postpartum depression and anxiety, miscarriages, infertility, and traumatic birth are some of the areas included in Perinatal Mental Health. Background includes work in medical and community mental health settings over the last eight years. Experience includes adjustment to a variety of life and role changes, anxiety, and depression with teens and adults. Providing a safe environment where you feel validated and supported to work through the experiences and feelings that brought you to therapy is my goal. Practice style can be described as integrative. No two individuals are the same. An integrative approach allows us to include the social, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of your life. This approach with training and certification in Perinatal Mental Health is the foundation of my practice. Let's get started today!

Christy Watson
Hello! My name is Christy Watson, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Arkansas and Virginia. I have experience working in a variety of therapeutic settings, including inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient treatment, and residential therapeutic communities. I specialize in supporting clients navigating depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma, and relationship challenges. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology and my Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. My approach to therapy is client-centered—I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to support and guide you in the direction that feels right for you. Using a strengths-based and solution-focused approach, I integrate various treatment modalities to help you identify your inner wisdom and cultivate a sense of balance. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I assist clients in exploring the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to uncover patterns that may be contributing to distress. My work is also informed by mindfulness and acceptance-based practices, drawing from Buddhist principles of compassion, presence, and letting go of suffering. Outside of my work as a therapist, I enjoy playing video games, cooking, crafting, listening to music, traveling to new places, and learning about different cultures. I also find peace in mindfulness practices and spending time with my dog.

Derrick Woodbury
My name is Derrick “Woody” Woodbury and I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Oklahoma. I have been offering private practice services for the last 4 years and I have also offered independent contractor services for the last 8. I see mild to moderate mood disorder clients, anger management, grief, marriage issues, men issues, LBGQT+, adjustment disorders through cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), faith based practices with addition areas of competence in solution focus therapy and choice/reality therapy. I look forward to working with you and assist in working towards presenting the best version of you!

Dr. James Guinee
I am licensed in Arkansas with 30 years of professional work experience. I have spent most of my career in university counseling centers, but for the last few years have added providing consultation and therapy to nursing staff at a local hospital, providing therapy to hospital staff through their EAP, and most recently through Better Help. I especially help clients with depression and anxiety (from irrational beliefs and over-thinking), relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, religious conflict, nightmares and dream interpretation, anger management, & low self-esteem. For the past 25 years or so I have provided couples therapy as well as premarital counseling. I specialize in relationship issues, and can work with people individually or as a couple. I will work very hard to help you improve your relationship, but I will also be very direct with you so that we can reduce the size of your blind spot. I have limited success with couples who are dealing with infidelity, and do not have the training or experience to help couples with physical intimacy issues. I believe that the best therapy comes from collaborating together, where I listen and give feedback, and where I provide a place where people can feel safe and be absolutely honest. I am personable, very chill, and do not push people. I have a high rate of success and I love what I do. I check messages throughout the day, so I am particularly good at getting back to people in a very short amount of time. Reach out to me and I we’ll take a first step and see how it goes. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

James Harris
I am licensed in Arkansas with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, anger management, and depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support and empower you in that journey.

Ashley Freece
I am licensed in both Arkansas and Texas with 9 years of professional work experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, confidence & depression. I enjoy helping clients work on developing coping skills that equip them to navigate life changes, mood instability or communication issues. I've worked with chronic mental illness as well as people going through life adjustments. No matter your goal in seeking therapy, I believe in supporting you through finding your best therapeutic tools. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will ensure our interactions and treatment goals align with your unique needs. Making changes to facilitate a healthier, better rounded or more fulfilling life takes courage and hard work. I am here to support you in that process.

Leah Pavela-Mullins
I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience in helping people find solutions to their problems. Over the years, I have been told by clients that they really feel that I am listening to them and trying to understand what is going on in their lives and how they feel. Clients have also told me that they do not feel any sense of judgment, but rather that I accept them for who they are and where they are in their life’s journey. My style is empathetic and solution focused. I will spend time asking you questions in order to get to know you and try to find out what is at the heart of your issue. Together, we will talk about possible avenues you may want to take, or changes you may want to consider. I may give you some “homework” assignments…things to write out or think about, worksheets to complete, or even techniques/exercises to practice in your own time so that some of what we discuss in our sessions is reinforced. Most of all, I will be an objective listener, helping you to gain insight into what is going on with you, so that you are able to make the choices and changes you want to, in your own time. I look forward to working with you!

Elaine Wilson
I am licensed in Arkansas with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Brandi DeLeon
I am licensed in Arkansas with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Erika Armstrong
I am licensed in Arkansas and Texas with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience working in the inpatient, private practice, and outpatient settings. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, career difficulties, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Find a therapist serving clients in Arkansas
What types of therapists are available to clients in Fort Smith?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Fort Smith that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Fort Smith available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Fort Smith therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Fort Smith therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Fort Smith region and in the state of Arkansas.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Fort Smith can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Fort Smith may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Fort Smith offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.