- Guilt and shame
- Attachment concerns
- Practical coping skills
About Cherrise
Cherrise Smith is a Washington LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) with eight years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, low self-esteem, depression, and concerns such as guilt and shame. She writes plainly and focuses on practical steps rather than labels.
Her approach is relational and direct. Sessions often involve talking through how past experiences shape current feelings. Cherrise uses a mix of evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people notice patterns, adjust unhelpful thinking, and practice new ways of responding.
She pays attention to attachment and abandonment themes when they come up. That can mean looking at how early relationships affect trust, boundaries, and self-blame. The work includes naming those patterns and testing small changes in thinking or behavior.
Cherrise also addresses practical life stresses like caregiver strain, communication problems, divorce and separation, and career or purpose questions. She helps clients break problems into manageable steps, practice skills in-session, and revisit what is or isn’t working.
When guilt or shame is present, sessions aim to separate behavior from identity and to develop clearer, kinder self-talk. The goal is not to erase feelings but to make them less overwhelming and more understandable.
Sessions are conducted in English. People considering therapy are encouraged to confirm current session options and subscription details before booking.
How evidence-based methods translate to online work
Cherrise uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on changing unhelpful thoughts and strengthening emotional skills. Cognitive-style methods help people notice and reframe automatic negative thoughts that feed guilt and shame. Behavioral techniques involve practicing clearer communication or small behavioral experiments to test beliefs about oneself and others.She also draws on attachment-informed approaches to look at how early relationships influence current patterns. That work helps identify why certain situations trigger intense self-blame and how different responses can be tried and evaluated. Deciding which techniques to use is a collaborative process; the therapist and client discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful in early sessions.
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed in the biography. One clear practical benefit of online work is fitting therapy into a busy life - sessions can be scheduled around work, caregiving, or other obligations. Online meetings can also make it easier to check in more frequently or have shorter follow-ups when needed. Many people find that this flexibility helps them try therapeutic techniques between sessions and track what changes over time.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family concerns, low self-esteem, depression, and related topics such as guilt and shame.
How would she approach feelings of shame or guilt?
She focuses on separating actions from identity, naming the emotions, and practicing different ways of thinking and behaving to reduce their hold.
What is her background and experience?
She is an LMHC in Washington with eight years of clinical experience working with adults on mood, stress, and relationship concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She holds the credential LMHC and is based in Washington.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with clients outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How do sessions and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; confirm exact fees for your situation before booking.
How do I begin the process?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.