meet Liz Smith, Licensed professional counselor
Therapy in Craig, Steamboat Springs, and online across CO & FL
Empowering, practical, and non-judgemental therapy for adults struggling with anxiety, trauma, and life changes.
I believe that everyone has the ability to change—we just need a little help from someone who understands.
Many people come to therapy after trying everything else—self-help books, podcasts, workshops—only to find themselves circling the same struggles. What’s missing often isn’t more effort, but a space where the deeper layers of experience can finally be understood. My work is grounded in helping adults untangle the lasting impact of anxiety, low self-worth, unresolved trauma, and major life transitions—so they can move beyond cycles that once felt unbreakable.
My training is in Internal Family Systems (IFS), a model that recognizes how the parts of us shaped by past wounds still influence how we see ourselves, connect with others, and respond to life today. IFS offers a way back to the Self—your calm, steady center—where authentic healing and growth become possible. Over the years, I’ve focused on how early relationships and pivotal transitions leave lasting imprints, and how those imprints can be transformed into new ways of relating, both inwardly and outwardly.
I also know these struggles from the inside. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years seeking answers myself—pushing harder, chasing achievement, and trying to quiet the inner critic that never seemed satisfied. It was only when I turned toward the roots of those struggles, rather than away from them, that I discovered a different way forward. This personal search, combined with years of clinical experience, shaped the therapist I am today: someone who can sit with the complexity of your story while also holding the confidence that healing is possible.
Outside of my professional life, I’m drawn to spaces that reflect the same values I bring to therapy: depth, presence, and connection. My lifelong love of horses has taught me the power of trust and attunement in relationships. Living in Colorado has instilled in me an appreciation for open landscapes, seasons of change, and the steadiness of nature as a teacher. These experiences continue to remind me that growth is not only possible, but natural when given care, patience, and the right conditions.
When we work together, my role is not to tell you who to be, but to walk alongside you as you rediscover the confidence, clarity, and wholeness already within you.
My guiding principles -
Growth
Growth is a lifelong journey, and I’m here to support yours. I value your unique path and provide a space where you can explore, heal, and create your best life.
Authenticity
I bring my genuine self to our work together and encourage you to do the same, creating a space where honesty and real connection can thrive.
Humor
Yes, there is laughter in therapy! I believe humor has a place in healing—it helps us stay grounded, find perspective, and connect with our shared humanity.
At the end of the day
I want you to feel free—grounded in the clarity and compassion of your true Self.
My approach is rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a model that sees every part of you as carrying wisdom, even when it shows up in painful ways. The inner critic, the anxious voice, the people-pleaser—these parts developed for a reason. Rather than trying to silence or control them, we’ll bring compassion and curiosity to their stories.
Our sessions create a space where those protective parts can finally be heard without judgment. As you begin to understand their intentions, something shifts: the constant push-pull quiets, and you start to experience more clarity and inner steadiness.
With time, you’ll find that old triggers don’t dominate in the same way. Decisions come with more confidence. Relationships feel less burdened by past wounds. Even major life transitions become opportunities to step into a stronger, more authentic version of yourself.
This work isn’t about “getting rid of” parts of you—it’s about learning to lead your life from your Self, the calm and wise center that has always been there, waiting to be trusted.
Training & Education
Masters of Science in Education & Counseling from Old Dominion University, Virginia
Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Florida (LPC.0018048).
Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy Institute Training
Internal Family Systems Level 1
Equine Growth and Learning Association Membership and Training
Colorado Counseling Association Membership