Jerry Smith, LCSW, CSW

Jerry Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Georgia with 38 years of experience in mental health care. He uses a client-centered approach to meet people where they are and help them set goals that matter to them. He encourages practical steps and often gives homework to support progress between sessions.

Over decades he has worked across many settings, including psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health clinics, alcohol and drug programs, jails, and penitentiaries. He has experience supporting people with addictions, mood disorders, and serious mental health challenges, as well as clients navigating relationship and self‑esteem concerns.

He has also worked with foster-care families and with adults who have developmental disabilities. His work with older adults includes experience in assisted living settings. In addition, he spent twelve years as an adjunct professor of psychology teaching and mentoring students.

Jerry blends client-centered work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques when helpful. That combination lets him focus on listening first, then introduce ways to change unhelpful thinking and behavior when a client is ready. He asks clients to try small, specific tasks between sessions to build momentum.

He helps people address stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family concerns, addictions, parenting challenges, sleep and eating issues, and life transitions. He frames therapy as a collaborative process and invites people to take an active role in shaping their path forward.

How his approaches translate to online support

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and shaping therapy around what matters to the person sitting across from the therapist. In practice that means sessions start with the client's concerns, and the therapist helps clarify goals and next steps rather than dictating them.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers practical exercises to change patterns that cause distress. CBT is often helpful for anxiety, depression, stress, sleep and eating issues, and for building new coping skills after trauma and abuse.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will work with the client to decide whether client-centered listening, CBT techniques, or a mix of both fits best. Goals, preferences, and how someone responds to early work guide adjustments over time.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also supports continuing homework between sessions so practical tasks can be reviewed and adjusted during follow-up visits.