About Daniel
Daniel Smolen is a licensed clinical social worker in California with 30 years of professional experience. He helps people who are overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or problems with self-esteem. He also supports those facing relationship strain, parenting challenges, anger, and LGBT-related concerns.
Daniel uses straightforward, practical conversations to uncover what matters most to each person. He treats clients as the expert on their own life and builds on existing strengths.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on small, doable steps rather than long lectures. His work often blends cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. That mix helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, test new behaviors, and calm the body when emotions run high.
Daniel aims for changes people can use between sessions. He has handled a wide range of issues across his career, including family conflict, blended family adjustments, caregiving stress, and communication breakdowns. He also has experience with traumatic stress, post-traumatic symptoms, self-harm concerns, and mood regulation challenges such as disruptive mood dysregulation.
Daniel approaches sessions with plain language and steady support. He encourages questions and works collaboratively to set realistic goals. For many people, this practical, skills-based work makes therapy feel useful and doable.
How CBT and Mindfulness work online
Daniel commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy in his online work. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and trying new, concrete behaviors to change how people feel. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and relationship patterns. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing strategies to reduce reactivity and improve emotional awareness, which helps with stress, anger, and trauma responses.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Daniel works collaboratively to decide what methods fit a person's goals and preferences. He adjusts strategies over time based on progress and feedback so therapy stays practical and relevant.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video allows face-to-face conversation for skills practice, while phone calls can work when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging are useful for quick check-ins, shorter sessions, or when writing out thoughts feels easier. These options help people fit therapy into busy schedules and keep continuity between meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he commonly address?
What is his therapeutic style like?
How much experience does he have?
What credentials and location apply to his practice?
Which languages are used in sessions and are international clients supported?
What session formats are available?
How is cost handled for sessions?
What are the steps to begin working with him?
Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also works with
- Anger management
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- LGBT
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 30 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English