Dion Smith

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I have a BA in Economics and History from Claremont McKenna College and an MA in Counseling Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy from National University. My training included working with a variety of age groups, clinical needs, and therapeutic methods. I have extensive experience working with individuals, couples, families, and children.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I decided to pursue becoming a therapist after my experience working in corporate America. I found that people were always comfortable discussing details about themselves with me without prompting. I also found that I could work with people who were considered difficult to work with in my workspace. Some of my gifts include patience and the ability to explain difficult situations in common language.

I ran a childcare for over two years where I was able to work with children from the ages of nine months to four years old, which helped me refine my ability to read body language and other nonverbal communication. I also worked as a teacher/tutor for four years in an after-school program, where I assisted elementary aged students with improving their academic performance. Each of these experiences contributed to my current skill set and served as stepping stones on my path to becoming a counselor.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I enjoy music, outdoor activities, driving cars, cycling, and traveling.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chemical Dependency
• Coaching
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Weight Loss
• Women’s Issues

Individual Counseling

We face many challenges in our lives, but we do not have to do it alone. My goal is to provide a safe environment that allows you to express and explore any issue you may be dealing with at the time. Together we seek to find your personal balance between mind, body, and spirit in order for you to improve your ability to manage and overcome any situation you may be struggling with.

Marriage Counseling

Together we will work to improve your marriage. We will consider your situation with a holistic approach, utilizing God’s Word and effective therapeutic interventions to help your marriage grow. I will help you improve your communication as a key to unlocking your ability to address any issues in your marriage. We will establish goals tailored to your relationship to assist in addressing your issues.

Men’s Issues

As a man, seeking help can be hard, but I am here to help. The first step is to understand that you do not have to solve every problem on your own; working together, we can find solutions. I will assist you with creating a treatment plan that will help you build each core phase of yourself in order to become the man you desire to be.

Coaching

I will help you develop a plan to address any issues related to personal growth that you are struggling with at this time. We can work together to also help you improve and grow in your relationships, professional life, or any other area of your life you may be struggling in. I will help you break through by identifying your strengths and weaknesses to help you achieve your goals.

Anxiety

Anxiety does not have to be a crippling issue that negatively impacts your life. I will assist you in developing tools to help you overcome and manage your anxiety. I will also help you develop positive coping strategies, such as improved breathing techniques, effective self-talk, and setting realistic expectations for yourself to help with anxiety management. We will also learn that anxiety is a natural tool in life that at times we can use to help us achieve our goals. Personal growth and improved stress management are possible, with God’s help.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Santa Monica – Monday & Friday
• Los Angeles – Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.