Cortney (Bota) Smith , LMHC

Cortney (Bota) Smith, LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), brings 11 years of clinical experience providing care to adults in both community clinic settings and through teletherapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, and completed 1,000 clinical hours as a mental health intern in a variety of placements. Over the course of her career she has worked with a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, trauma and abuse, anger management, co-occurring disorders, relationship and family issues, grief, and problems with sleep, parenting, career, and self-esteem.

Cortney's practice is grounded in a person-centered approach - she aims to meet each person where they are and learn what they want and need. She integrates cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused strategies to help clients identify practical steps, build skills, and move toward their goals while supporting clients to come to their own conclusions and make meaningful changes. She has provided teletherapy for the past seven years in addition to traditional face-to-face work in clinics.

She maintains office hours Monday 9am-2pm and Wednesday 9am-3pm Eastern Time and makes efforts to accommodate evening appointments when necessary. Cortney acknowledges the courage it takes to begin therapy and looks forward to supporting people through their process.

Therapeutic approaches suited to online care

Cortney (Bota) Smith uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where a person's priorities guide the work. This approach emphasizes listening, empathy, and collaboration so clients can clarify goals and build self-understanding, which can be helpful for stress, relationship concerns, self-esteem, and life transitions.

She also incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and learning practical skills to manage symptoms. CBT techniques are commonly used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and coping with everyday stressors. Additionally, solution-focused methods help identify strengths and small, achievable steps that move a person toward their goals, making this approach useful for problem-solving around career, parenting, and navigating change.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Cortney works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress is made. Online therapy via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility and accessibility, allowing licensed professionals to deliver evidence-informed techniques in ways that can fit varied schedules and life demands.