Frederick L. Smoot, LMFT

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than ten years of clinical experience, I have dedicated my career to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s most challenging moments. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with people facing personal struggles, emotional pain, and complex relationship dynamics. My goal is to create a safe, grounded, and compassionate space where healing and personal growth can truly begin.

My approach is warm, mindful, and steady, blending compassion with structure. I believe therapy is both a journey and a partnership. Together, we work in the present moment, understanding where you are today while paving the way toward a more fulfilling and meaningful future. I strive to help my clients uncover their inner strengths, gain emotional clarity, and rediscover hope during difficult times.

Throughout my years in practice, I have supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, long-term illness, and relationship challenges. I also specialize in professional accompaniment, offering emotional and therapeutic support to individuals and families coping with chronic illness or major life changes. These moments can feel isolating, but you do not have to face them alone. I aim to be both a guide and a steady presence as you learn to manage pain, loss, or uncertainty.

In addition to individual therapy, I am passionate about couples and marital healing. Relationships form the foundation of our emotional well-being, and I work closely with couples to restore communication, rebuild trust, and renew their connection. Through interpersonal communication skills training (SAVI Certified), I help clients identify unhelpful patterns and develop more constructive ways to express themselves. These skills often lead to deeper understanding and closeness in all types of relationships, whether romantic, familial, or professional.

My therapeutic approach also incorporates life history integration and life stages growth work. This helps clients understand how past experiences shape their current emotions and choices. By reflecting on personal history with compassion and awareness, we can transform old wounds into valuable insights that encourage personal growth and resilience.

I hold a PhD in Pastoral Counseling Psychotherapy from the Claremont School of Theology, focusing on Family Life Studies, and a Master of Divinity from the St. Paul School of Theology, where I specialized in Pastoral Counseling and Ministry. My background allows me to approach therapy with both psychological expertise and a deep respect for each individual’s emotional and spiritual needs.

As a Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and a Certified Educator with ACPRE/AAPC, I have spent years helping others learn, heal, and grow both professionally and personally. I believe in the power of therapy to help people create positive change, even in the most difficult circumstances.

In every session, my intention is to meet you where you are, honor your story, and help you move toward a life that feels more authentic and grounded. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, relationship concerns, or questions about identity and purpose, I will walk beside you with compassion and respect.