- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Attachment-based work
- CBT and DBT skills
About Marlene
Marlene Smith is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in West Virginia with three years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, depression, and life changes. Sessions focus on practical steps and clearer thinking to help people handle day-to-day challenges.
Marlene uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside attachment-based and client-centered approaches to help people name and work through difficult emotions. She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy skills when relevant. In sessions she listens for patterns in feelings and interactions, then helps clients try new ways of responding.
Her background includes work with issues related to adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric concerns, and attachment difficulties. She also supports people dealing with body image, cancer, commitment and communication problems, and the stresses that follow divorce or separation.
Marlene has experience addressing more complex presentations such as dissociation, dependent personality traits, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), and responses to domestic violence or community disasters. She approaches these topics in straightforward terms and helps people build coping skills they can use between sessions.
Sessions are conducted in English. People who want to begin can use the site's matching process to arrange an initial meeting and see which session options best fit their schedule and needs.
How her approaches translate to online work
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and naming emotional experiences and the interaction patterns that keep people stuck. It can help when strong feelings are hard to put into words or when recurring emotional responses get in the way of daily life.Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early and ongoing connection patterns shape current relationships and reactions. It helps people understand why certain situations trigger intense reactions and practice new ways of relating.
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and collaboration. The therapist follows the client's pace and helps people find their own solutions rather than directing every step.
Choosing the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work together with each person to match methods to their goals, values, and what feels most helpful. That may mean using EFT language in some sessions and adding CBT or DBT skills in others.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals commonly adapt exercises, emotion-focused conversations, and skills practice to the online setting so work can continue between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
West Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
Marlene works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem struggles, depression, and coping with life changes. She also addresses related topics like adoption and foster care, body image, and communication problems.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy as a primary approach and combines it with attachment-based and client-centered methods. She may also include CBT or DBT skills when those tools fit the situation.
How much clinical experience does she have?
The counselor has three years of professional experience working with people on a range of emotional and relationship concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
Marlene holds the LPC credential - Licensed Professional Counselor - and practices in West Virginia.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She does not take international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to get started.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.