Dr. David Smith, LICSW
Minnesota · 20 years in practice
Dr. David Smith is a licensed independent clinical social worker with twenty years of experience providing therapy in Minnesota.
License and registration
- LICSW, Minnesota
- 08854 · expires May 2027
- NPI
- 1730377698 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 20
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.
About David
Dr. David Smith is a licensed independent clinical social worker with twenty years of experience providing therapy in Minnesota. He draws on a mix of approaches to help people reduce stress, manage anxiety, and find clearer direction in their lives.
He writes and teaches about the ordinary work of becoming more authentic and resilient. He focuses on helping people recognize the strengths they already have. Sessions aim to uncover patterns that keep someone stuck and then try different ways of responding.
Background and approach
Conversations are practical and grounded, with attention to how thoughts, feelings, and relationships shape daily life. Dr. Smith uses existential ideas to help clients face big questions about meaning and purpose.
He combines that with client-centered listening, cognitive techniques to change unhelpful thinking, and psychodynamic thinking about past influences. The blend is adjusted to what each person needs. People bring concerns such as work stress, relationship and intimacy problems, addiction and substance issues, grief, parenting strain, career decisions, or struggles with self-esteem.
He also addresses attachment patterns, codependency, forgiveness, and midlife questions. Sessions tend to be collaborative and straightforward. Dr.
Smith encourages small experiments between meetings so people can test new ways of behaving. The goal is to make change that feels doable and relevant to everyday life.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything David lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
- Attachment issues
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches David names
- Existential Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
- Systemic Therapy
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
Therapeutic approaches you can use online
Dr. Smith commonly draws on Existential Therapy to help people address questions of meaning, purpose, and life direction; this approach examines values and choices when someone feels stuck. He also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes attentive listening and working at the client's pace so people feel heard and understood. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that fuel anxiety, depression, or stress.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. He collaborates with each person to mix methods that fit their goals, preferences, and the problems they bring. That means trying a few ways of working and adjusting based on what helps most.
Online sessions include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to offer flexibility. Video calls let people use visual cues and sit for a longer session, while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is low or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging support quick exchanges, between-session check-ins, or people who prefer typing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family, or busy schedules while keeping the focus on practical change and personal goals.
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Questions people ask
What issues does Dr. Smith focus on?
He helps with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, addiction concerns, grief, career questions, parenting strain, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He blends client-centered listening with practical strategies and deeper exploration of life meaning. Sessions balance problem-solving with reflection about values and purpose.
What is his background and experience?
He has twenty years of clinical experience and has worked as a clinician, educator, and writer on topics of authenticity and resilience.
Where is he based and what are his credentials?
He practices in Minnesota and holds a LICSW, which is listed as MN LICSW in his profile.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are costs and scheduling handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability and use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; to begin you complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule based on availability.
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