Willow Wakeley-Smith , LCSW

Willow Wakeley-Smith is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who centers her work on client-centered care. She focuses on stress, anxiety, parenting issues, motivation, depression, ADHD, and other common struggles people face today. Willow aims to meet people where they are and to offer practical support that fits real life.

She frames therapy as a collaborative process. Sessions emphasize listening first, then building steps that feel manageable. Willow uses straightforward tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to help people notice patterns and try new ways of coping.

Her background includes five years of clinical work with adults and more than ten years in professional roles involving children and school settings. That experience gives her familiarity with parenting challenges and with people facing moderate to significant mental health concerns. She draws on that mix when tailoring an approach for each person.

Willow adapts the plan as needs change. She talks through goals, tracks progress, and adjusts techniques when something isn’t helping. Clients can expect direct feedback, practical homework when useful, and a focus on skills that carry into daily routines.

Willow works with a broad range of topics including grief, trauma and abuse, addictions, LGBT concerns, relationship and family stress, sleep problems, self-esteem, career questions, and coping with life changes. She also addresses additional concerns such as adoption and foster care, autism spectrum issues, body image, hoarding, and obsessive behaviors.

Sessions are offered in English and delivered through online formats. Willow practices in Missouri and uses an individualized approach to help people find clearer steps forward.

How Willow’s Approaches Work Online

Client-centered work starts by listening closely to each person. It focuses on the client’s experience and priorities, and the therapist follows the person’s lead to set goals and next steps. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, then practice small changes that reduce anxiety or lift mood over time.

Choosing the right approach is part of therapy. Willow will talk with clients about their needs, goals, and what feels comfortable. Together they decide whether to emphasize client-centered listening, CBT tools, mindfulness practice, or a mix of methods depending on progress and preference.

Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth or being on camera is difficult. Live chat and text-based messaging support brief check-ins, quick coaching, or follow-up between longer sessions. These formats provide flexibility so people can use methods that suit their schedules and daily routines.