About Dr. Smita Kapoor, DMFT, LMFT | Online Therapist in CA, OR, TX, NV, AZ, VA

Hello, I'm Dr. Kapoor

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 11 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's hardest chapters and find their way toward healing, growth, and fulfillment.

I hold a Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy (DMFT) and a Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University, along with degrees in Child Development and Psychology. I'm also a Certified Hypnotherapist, and I'm currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology, with a focus on hypnotherapy and behavioral & substance addiction, to deepen my expertise in complex emotional and relational dynamics.

My professional journey spans private practice and specialized mental health programs, including dedicated work with active-duty military personnel, veterans, and neurodiverse individuals and couples.

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Credentials

Training you can trust

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Doctorate

DMFT & M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy, Loma Linda University. Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology (in progress).

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Certified Hypnotherapist

Clinical hypnotherapy integrated with evidence-based treatment for anxiety, habits, trauma, and lasting behavior change.

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Certified EMDR

Certified EMDR therapist for trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD, including intensive formats.

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ERP Specialist

Extensive experience in Exposure and Response Prevention, the gold-standard treatment for OCD. ~60% of my caseload is OCD-focused.

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Gottman Level 2

Level 2 Gottman Method Couples Therapist, also trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

My approach: evidence-based, holistic, human

Therapy with me is not just about overcoming challenges, it's about building a life with meaning, purpose, and joy. I integrate evidence-based methods with a holistic understanding of your unique story:

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety disorders
EMDR for trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness
CBT, CPT, and DBT for mood, thought patterns, and emotion regulation
Gottman Method & EFT for couples and relationships
Clinical Hypnotherapy (Certified Hypnotherapist) for anxiety, habits, and deeper change
Trauma-informed care that empowers resilience and recovery

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A person feeling relief and hope during therapy

Trauma-informed care, without the stigma

Reaching out for therapy is hard, especially if you grew up hearing that struggling means weakness, that family matters stay in the family, or that therapy is for "other people." Let me say it plainly: needing support is not a flaw, and asking for it is one of the strongest things you'll ever do. Anxiety, OCD, depression, and trauma are not character defects. They are treatable conditions, and seeking care for your mind deserves the same respect as seeking care for your body.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I understand that many struggles, anxiety, anger, perfectionism, relationship patterns, even physical symptoms, often trace back to experiences your nervous system never got to process. So my first job is safety: a non-judgmental space where nothing you say will shock me, you set the pace, and you will never be pushed to relive anything before you're ready. We work with your story, not against you.

That safety extends to every part of who you are. With over a decade of experience serving diverse and underserved communities, including BIPOC clients, military families, and neurodiverse individuals and couples, I practice with cultural humility and honor how your background, identity, and values shape both your struggles and your strengths. Whatever brought you here, you'll be met with respect, warmth, and zero judgment.

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Dr. Smita Kapoor, DMFT, LMFT