Practitioner record · Checked 7 Oct 2026

Celes Smith has been in practice 8 years and is licensed in Kentucky. Celes lists stress, Anxiety, LGBT and trauma and abuse among 5 subjects on the BetterHelp roster.

Everything below is either quoted from Celes's own BetterHelp listing, taken from public licensing records, or written by Maker Therapy and labelled as such. Nothing here is an availability promise, a review, or a rating.

8years in practice
5subjects listed

01 · Who Celes works with

Celes works with stress, Anxiety, LGBT and trauma and abuse

Celes lists 5 specialisms. Specialisms are the subjects Celes chose to list first, which is the closest a listing gets to “this is my actual practice”.

Specialisms
  • Stress, Anxiety
  • LGBT
  • Trauma and abuse
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression

02 · In Celes's own words

What Celes says about the work

Reproduced in full and unedited - not summarised, not tightened, not rewritten in a house voice.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I whole heartedly believe that every individual deserves the highest quality of life achievable, with the initial focus on mental and emotional well-being. With this in mind I've adopted a person centered approach to therapy. I work closely with my clients to pinpoint their therapy goals and customize each treatment strategy to incorporate evidence-based practices while also aligning with their individual aspirations. What sets my practice apart is my commitment to creating a safe, compassionate space where you can feel truly heard and understood. I emphasize the importance of building a trusting relationship and using a holistic approach to mental health, considering all aspects of your life to help you heal and grow. I am deeply passionate about this work because I believe in the transformative power of therapy. Helping individuals move past their struggles and reclaim their lives is incredibly rewarding, and I am honored to be a part of that journey with you.

Celes Smith, on the BetterHelp listing · read 7 Oct 2026

03 · What happens next

From this page to a first session

Celes practises through BetterHelp, so the route in is BetterHelp's. This is that sequence, written by Maker Therapy from the platform's published process - not a description of Celes's own practice, and not a promise about how quickly anything happens.

  1. A questionnaire, not a booking form

    BetterHelp opens with a set of questions about what you are dealing with, what you want from therapy, and any preferences on the therapist. You are not booking Celes at this point.

  2. Naming Celes specifically

    BetterHelp matches algorithmically by default, so asking for Celes is a step you have to take. There is a field for requesting a specific therapist during sign-up, and you can switch afterwards from your account. Starting from a link on this page does not by itself assign you to Celes.

  3. If the caseload is full

    You will be offered somebody else rather than put on a waitlist. Worth knowing, because it is easy to assume a match is the person you asked for.

  4. The first conversation

    A first session is typically history and orientation: what brought you, what has been tried, what you want to be different. It is also where the questions in the next section belong.

  5. If the fit is wrong

    Changing therapist on BetterHelp does not need a reason. A first session that does not click is common and is not a verdict on therapy. That option existing is the main practical difference between a platform and a private practice.

04 · Before you commit

2 questions worth asking Celes

Built from what Celes actually lists, so they are answerable and specific rather than generic. Maker Therapy's, not Celes's - Celes has not seen them and is under no obligation to answer any of them.

  • “How do you decide when someone is ready to work on a traumatic memory itself?”

    Pacing is the biggest safety question in trauma work. A clear, unhurried answer here matters more than any credential.

  • “How do you handle the gap between sessions if something comes up?”

    On BetterHelp this varies a great deal by therapist. Better to know the rhythm now than to discover it on a bad week.

05 · Practical details

Credentials and licensing

Credential
LICSW
Licensed in
Kentucky
Licence
MN LICSW 36142, WV LICSW DP00947575
Licence number
255556
Licence expires
13 Mar 2027
NPI
1992384416
Years in practice
8
Gender
Male
Languages
English
International clients
Not accepted
Listed since
23 Sep 2026

06 · Provenance

Where every line on this page came from

Celes's name, credential, state, subjects, approaches and biography are read from BetterHelp's therapist roster, which Maker Therapy re-reads once a day; this page reflects the reading taken on 7 Oct 2026. The licence number and NPI are cross-checked against public registers.

The plain-English method descriptions, the first-session walkthrough and the questions are written by Maker Therapy and labelled as such wherever they appear.

Maker Therapy is not BetterHelp, does not take bookings, and has not met Celes. There are no reviews or ratings on this page because we have no way to verify one. If you start therapy through a link here, we may be paid a commission - it does not change your price and it does not affect who appears here or in what order.

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