Direct and smart as I was hoping
Brett Smith, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Brett is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Brett. View 32 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
I would readily recommend Brett.
More about Brett
- 22 years' experience
- Male
- LMFT
Congratulations!!! You have just taken your first step towards an improved life! When we hurt our finger we are quick to go to the doctor for help, but when we suffer mental health concerns, we often, for many reasons, think we need to take this burden on ourselves. This is unfortunate as many mental health issues are successfully treated on a regular basis. So I congratulate you on your success at taking this first step.
You are on this site because there is something in your life keeping you from the adventure life should be. Let me help you resolve this issue. I have been in the counseling field for approx. 20 yrs. I came to this field in an attempt to resolve my own issues with PTSD. I'm a combat veteran and a former law enforcement officer. I have an intimate understanding of trauma, both on the clinical side, and the side of the victim. My interest has been to explore the consequences of trauma, and how it affects our behavior. One of the most surprising things I learned, was how long the symptoms of trauma persist, and how involved they can be in our lives. As a result of this experience, I have worked most of my career assisting clients with personality disorders and trauma symptoms.
My style is direct. I use primarily dialectical behavior therapy but will switch modalities if the situation needs flexibility. I have post-grad work in Hypnotherapy and am a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist utilizing Ericksonian/transformational concepts. My skills are enhanced by my experience in working in emergency departments conducting emergency psychiatric assessments for patients in crisis. This has improved my diagnostic skills and has helped me unravel many difficult cases.
In my personal life, my wife and I like to sail our own sailboat. In our future, we plan to live-aboard and travel the world. In addition to boating, we like to travel and spend time outdoors backpacking and kayaking. we stay active and outdoors as much as possible. My wife is retired from a life in law enforcement, and we both enjoy raising and training dogs. I also have a Youtube channel that has videos about what we talk about. I encourage you all to view them at your leisure, This is the link to my Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@bashleys
It has been a pleasure sharing a little bit about me, and I hope you contact me so, together, we can make life less of an ordeal and more the grand adventure it is supposed to be. I look forward to meeting you!
Specialties
Personality Disorders
Trauma Treatment
Relationships
Anxiety/Depression
Specialties
Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Hypnotherapy
- Jungian Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
Licenses
Brett Smith's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1952610529.
- LMFT · California · 46410 · Expires February 2026
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Brett Smith
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Direct and smart as I was hoping
I would readily recommend Brett.
The moment I started communicating with Brett, he made me feel comfortable. During our first live video session he was so insightful and I learned a lot even though I’m not the best at being able to express myself. I look forward to working more with Brett in coming days, weeks…months! I highly recommend him.
I have had nothing but Great experiences with Brett. I even stopped therapy for a couple months, but he persisted contact, and I came back. Thank you Brett.
Brett is awesome very smart and up lifting. Great personality and response quick !
My experience with therapy has been life-changing in only a positive way. I feel like I am healing to become a version of myself that I hadn't dared dream it was possible to be. Brett is a fantastic therapist and he listens and interacts in a combination of both a literature/training-supported and bespoke way.
I had 1st session with Brett. The discussion was straight forward and we went through my challenges and what I want to achieve. I like this approach, direct precise questions. Brett is knowledgeable about his area, he explained few points logically and scientifically. In the 1st session, we made action for me to take! I am looking forward to next session.
I am very grateful for Brett's help. He is very knowledgeable, kind and supportive. I definitely trust him and I know he sincerely cares about my wellbeing
I’ve been working with Brett for a little over a year and I found it to be extremely helpful in processing a lot of the complex issues and emotions I was experiencing. Grateful for this platform and to have had Brett as a resource during a very difficult time in my life.
Love therapy, changing my life one session at a time.
Brett is knowledgeable, thoughtful, and his direct style is very effective. He has truly helped me ask the right questions to become a better human being with strong character...and for that I am infinitely grateful.
Brett was exactly what I needed at the right moment in my life. He is a very genuine and professional therapist who gives you easily digestible tools that you can implement right away. I highly recommend!
I am very grateful for the support and wisdom I get from working with Brett
Brett is hands down the best therapy experience I've had. His ability to relate and direct is unparalleled
Brett is always timely. My assertion to the contrary was a fatfinger.
I worked with Brett every week for a year, it was definitely not always enjoyable as I was facing issues that I ignored for years head on, but Brett was always there with unwavering support. I could not have imagined the changes I was able to make in a year and I couldnt have done so without Brett's help, he was the perfect match for me because he implemented humour when appropriate but also gave me some tough love/reality checks when I needed them. I am so thankful that Brett believed in me when I didn't always believe in myself. I am so proud of my progress and am thankful that Brett was there to walk me through it, I know I will still have challenges but as long as I am doing things in my best interest and that are committed to my growth I will stay on the right path, plus I have so many more coping mechanisms I can use now when things start to go off the rails. I would definitely reccomend Brett's services to anyone who is looking to take control of their mental health.
Brett has, without a shadow of a doubt, changed my life for the better. Working with him, I have faced my issues and challenges in a progressive, phased way. Gradually working together with him to resolve issues I knew I had, issues I barely suspected I had, and issues I had never known existed. This journey hasn't been easy, but it has been worthwhile. I will always be a better me, a more authentic me, for having gone on this journey, and I honestly can't think of a better person to work with on the journey than Brett.
Brett's services have been incredible for my growth and wellness. As a young professional, Brett has worked with me to acquire a set of skills and practices that are committed to my growth in all areas of my life. I cannot recommend Brett enough.
Brett has been wonderful as I've dealt with a few issues. He's quick to respond to messages and great to chat with. Id highly recommend him.
If you are looking for someone who is not going to just hold your hand and tell you what you want to hear, then brett is for you. I wanted a therapist who wasn’t just going to sit there and listen to me talk, but engage with me and push back, get to the roots of my issues. He is a highly intelligent therapist who really knows the science behind what he’s talking about. He really wants you to succeed and to not have to be in therapy forever. I had a great experience, and if you’re looking for a therapist that is more goal based then just hear me talk based, Brett is for you.
Brett is a formidable therapist — he shows up with presence and compassion, but also empowers you to challenge the underlying thought patterns and beliefs that underpin your struggles. He has helped me immensely, and I’m sure he can help you, too :)
Very old experience thus far.
Never thought I’ll be ok with therapy but thanks to Brad I’m looking forward to next meeting
he is everything that i’ve been looking for
My entire life will be better for my therapy journey with Brett. That's not to say it's easy, but it is to know that it is worthy; that I am worthy.
I have seen many different therapists over the years, and I am so glad I finally found Brett. I instantly knew that he knew what he was talking about and was interested in utilizing real knowledge and skills to work with me on my issues. I wanted someone to not beat around the bush or hold my hand. I wanted someone to guide me how to actually get results, and Brett is that guy. I can tell he takes his job seriously and I am grateful to have found someone who suits my style of therapy!
I've been searching for a good therapist for over 16 years and then I FINALLY found Brett. He has been an amazing support for me and truly the first person to help get me to do what's best for me.
I have only recently begun my therapy journey but I am thankful to be on the road and to have found Brett. I am already feeling more empowered and fashioned with the tools to steady, catch my breath, reorientate myself and set a path for myself.
So far I feel very at ease and comfortable. I feel like Brett is very knowledgeable and confident in his methods and so far I am blown away by what I have learned about myself. I would really recommend him to anyone.
No nonsense, straight forward and honest. He will call you out your destructive trains of thought. He understands the brain and the mechanisms that create and cope with trauma and the wiring diagrams of people with mental illnesses. He also tries to find practical solutions to tough problems.
I’ve only been working with Brett for about 2 weeks but I can already tell this is really helping me. I’ve shared things with Brett that I’ve never told anyone. I feel like he listens without judgement and gives helpful suggestions. Also, he gave me specific actionable advice from day one that’s helped me. I feel lucky, like I’ve found the right person to help me.
Brett has a high knowledge in this field and his expertise are evident in the counselling sessions
Frequently asked questions
Does Brett Smith offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Brett Smith works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Brett Smith speak?
Brett Smith speaks English.
How many years of experience does Brett Smith have?
Brett Smith has 22 years of experience.
Where is Brett Smith licensed to practice?
Brett Smith is licensed to practice in California.
Does Brett Smith accept clients outside of the United States?
Yes, Brett Smith accepts clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Brett Smith offer?
Brett Smith offers clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Hypnotherapy, Jungian Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy.
How can I communicate with Brett Smith?
Brett Smith can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Brett Smith?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.