Online in New York
(Online Only)
What makes my practice unique is the way I integrate evidence-based care with a deeply collaborative, person-centered approach. I believe meaningful change happens when clients feel safe enough to be fully themselves, understood without judgment, and supported in a way that honors their autonomy, values, and lived experience.
I work from a place of curiosity, respect, and cultural sensitivity. I always meeting clients where they are and moving at a pace that feels safe and sustainable. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, I tailor therapy using various modalities to fit each person’s needs, goals, and emotional experiences.
Clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or unsure how to navigate what they are going through. My role is not to “fix” you, but to help you better understand yourself, your patterns, and your emotional world so that you can begin responding to life with more clarity, confidence, and self-compassion.
I also prioritize accessibility and convenience by offering fully virtual therapy, allowing you to access care from the comfort and privacy of your own space. With flexible scheduling, therapy can be integrated into your life in a way that feels realistic and supportive rather than overwhelming.
If you are looking for a therapeutic space where you can slow down, feel understood, and begin creating meaningful change that aligns with who you are and what matters to you, I would be honored to work with you.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Children, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian, Black / African American, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Hispanic / Latino, Jewish, LDS/Mormon, LGBTQ+, Men, Middle Eastern, Military / Veterans, Muslim, Native American, Pacific Islander, Persons with Disabilities, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Adlerian Therapy Focuses on understanding a person’s sense of belonging and purpose. It helps people overcome feelings of inferiority and create healthier relationships.
- Behavioral Therapy Uses learning techniques like reinforcement and practice to change unwanted behaviors. It is often applied to phobias, anxiety, and habits.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) An evidence-based treatment for PTSD that teaches clients to reframe unhelpful thoughts about trauma. It helps reduce guilt, shame, and fear.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Experiential Therapy Involves hands-on activities to bring emotions into the present moment. It helps clients process feelings more deeply than through conversation alone.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) A short-term approach focused on improving relationships and social support. It is often used for depression and grief.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Object Relations Therapy Focuses on how early caregiver relationships shape current relationships. It aims to improve patterns of attachment and trust.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Play Therapy Uses toys, games, and creative play to help children express emotions. It is especially useful when children can’t fully verbalize their feelings.
- Psychoanalytic Therapy Based on Freud’s theories, it explores unconscious conflicts and past experiences. It seeks to bring hidden issues into awareness.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Helps clients challenge and replace irrational beliefs. It is an action-oriented approach for lasting change.
- Reality Therapy / Choice Theory Focuses on present choices and taking responsibility for actions. It helps clients create more fulfilling relationships and lives.
- Relational Psychotherapy Emphasizes the healing power of the therapist-client relationship. It uses trust and safety as a foundation for change.
- Schema Therapy Identifies deep-rooted negative patterns formed in childhood. It combines CBT, attachment theory, and experiential methods for change.
- Self Psychology Explores the development of self-esteem and identity. It emphasizes the importance of empathy in healing.
- Social Learning Therapy Based on the idea that people learn behaviors by observing others. It applies modeling and reinforcement to encourage healthy change.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
Approach Description: I use an eclectic, integrative approach to therapy, drawing from multiple evidence-based theories and tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs, goals, cultural background, and life experiences. I believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing, so I thoughtfully combine methods that best support your individual process, values, and pace of growth. My work is culturally responsive, collaborative, and focused on helping you build meaningful, sustainable change in a way that feels relevant and respectful of your lived experience.
In sessions, this may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to support emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, and psychodynamic exploration to better understand how past experiences and relationship patterns influence current functioning. I also integrate mindfulness-based practices to increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, Narrative Therapy techniques to help you reshape and reclaim your personal story, and Solution-Focused Therapy to identify strengths, build on what is already working, and create practical next steps toward your goals. Additionally, I use Motivational Interviewing to support motivation, clarify ambivalence, and strengthen your own internal drive for change in a nonjudgmental and empowering way.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- I offer sliding scale therapy to help make mental health care more accessible to everyone. Sliding scale means that session fees are adjusted based on your individual financial situation. There are no strict qualifications—anyone can request a reduced rate. My goal is to work with you to find an affordable fee that fits your budget. Please feel free to share what you are able to comfortably afford, and I will do my best to accommodate your needs.
- Accepts Insurance
- I accept Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and Medicaid. I also provide out-of-network services.
Education & Credentials
Alexis Smith MHC-LP
- Female
- License # 003396
- Licensed in New York
- Practicing Since 2024
Education: I graduated from SUNY Old Westbury with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Alexis Smith Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of New York
- Online Therapy Details: I use Doxy.me for secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions.
Hi, I’m Alexis, a Mental Health Counselor at First Step Mental Health Counseling with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My work is grounded in connection, curiosity, and a deep respect for each client’s individuality and autonomy.
I support individuals who feel overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions, struggle with anxiety, overthinking, depression, or emotional intensity, or find themselves stuck in cycles of self-doubt, avoidance, or feeling disconnected from themselves or others. I also work with clients navigating trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and major life transitions, as well as those exploring identity, including gender identity, sexuality, cultural identity, and self-worth.
In therapy, we work collaboratively to understand what patterns, life experiences, and beliefs are contributing to your current struggles and shaping how you feel and respond today. Sessions are paced according to your comfort, allowing space for reflection, emotional processing, and gradual insight building.
I believe you are the expert in your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you as we explore your experiences together.
My focus is on helping you build emotional awareness, strengthen your ability to regulate and understand your emotions, and develop practical coping strategies that feel aligned with your values. Over time, this work supports greater self-understanding, emotional stability, and the ability to navigate life with more clarity, confidence, and intention.