Dorraine Acosta-Smith

With more than three decades of clinical experience, I support individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic stress, mood disorders, and major life transitions that can feel overwhelming or isolating. You may be struggling with panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, low motivation, grief, relationship conflict, social withdrawal, or the emotional toll of chronic health conditions. My work is centered on understanding your unique story while helping you build resilience, emotional regulation skills, and healthier patterns of coping. I am particularly passionate about supporting women, young adults, and individuals healing from trauma or managing long-standing mood concerns. I offer a warm, faith-sensitive, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore personal growth, strengthen communication, deepen self-love, and move toward lasting emotional wellness.

In my practice, I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities to best support your unique needs. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which focuses on building skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance; and motivational interviewing, which encourages personal growth by exploring and resolving ambivalence.

Additionally, I incorporate techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, and visualization to enhance self-awareness and promote emotional balance. My approach is also grounded in person-centered therapy, ensuring that our work together remains collaborative and tailored to your individual journey.

During our initial session, the focus is on getting to know you as a person. We will explore what has led you to seek therapy at this point in your life, taking time to understand the experiences and circumstances that brought you here. This session is an opportunity for you to share your goals and expectations for therapy, allowing us to establish a clear direction for our work together. By discussing your aspirations and what you hope to achieve, we can begin to tailor a therapeutic approach that aligns with your needs and supports your journey toward emotional wellness.