- Years in practice
- 11
- Credentials
- LMHC
- Licensed in
- New York
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Anger management
- Focus
- Bipolar disorder
About Cortney
Cortney (Bota) Smith is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who emphasizes a person-centered way of working. She focuses on meeting people where they are and listening closely to what they want to change. Cortney aims to help clients set clear goals and move toward them at a comfortable pace.
She has 11 years of clinical experience, much of it in community clinic settings with adult clients. Her background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, plus 1,000 clinical hours completed during her internship placements.
Background and approach
That mix of classroom learning and hands-on work shapes the way she structures sessions. Cortney blends client-centered care with practical techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused approaches. She uses motivational interviewing to support readiness for change and to help people find their own reasons to act.
Sessions typically focus on clear steps, skill-building, and small experiments clients can try between meetings. She has worked with a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleeping problems, parenting challenges, anger, and career or life transitions. Cortney prefers straightforward, collaborative conversations that prioritize the client’s goals.
Her current schedule is weekday daytime hours in the Eastern time zone, with occasional evening appointments when possible. She offers a mix of video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging so people can choose what fits their life.
What Cortney works with
Everything Cortney lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Cortney helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
Approaches Cortney lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Cortney’s Methods Work Online
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening first and then following the client’s lead. The therapist offers empathy, asks questions, and helps people clarify what they want to change. This approach is helpful when someone needs a calm space to sort out priorities and values.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and then tests new ways of thinking or acting. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and many day-to-day stressors because it provides concrete skills to try between sessions.
Finding the right approach is a shared process. Cortney works with clients to choose techniques that match their goals and comfort level. She may combine client-centered listening with CBT exercises or solution-focused steps based on what helps a person make progress.
Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls let people read facial expressions and use visual tools. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth or camera use is a problem. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for brief check-ins, tracking progress, or getting reminders about skills to practice. These options make it simpler to keep therapy steady around work, parenting, or other commitments.
Questions people ask about Cortney
What kinds of concerns can be addressed here?
Cortney works with a wide range of issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, sleeping problems, parenting challenges, anger, and coping with life changes.
What style of therapy does she use?
Her approach is client-centered and collaborative, with use of cognitive behavioral techniques, solution-focused strategies, and motivational interviewing to set goals and build practical skills.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 11 years of clinical experience, including work in community clinics and substantial internship hours during her training.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensed in New York and practices from that location.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling appointments based on the therapist's availability.
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