21st Century Psychotherapy
Navigate the Therapeutic Space with Confidence
My favorite supervisor said, “Mix it up with the patient.” You can do that when you are confident in knowing what is going on and what to do next. This online program will help you get there. – Jeffery Smith MD
A therapist learner says: "My experience of your course has been great! The clinical concepts, underlying neurobiology and unconscious defenses are aspects that have been especially illuminating for me. I’m a better clinician because of it and it’s reignited my love of learning and playing with new ideas in my work."
–Heather
Do you want to:
- Be skilled at recognizing and supporting fundamental change processes?
- Avoid limiting yourself to a single brand of therapy but make use of techniques learned from any orientation or therapy?
- Learn the common infrastructure of all therapies and match technique to specific processes?
- Experience weekly group sessions with Dr. Smith to bring theory to daily practice?
- Receive personal answers to your questions along the way?

A Self-Paced, Multimedia Online Course
Designed for busy therapists with diverse learning styles and backgrounds who want in-depth learning in an efficient package.
Each lesson includes:
- Book chapter: Plain language to explain the most useful "idea tools."
- Video Introduction with graphics and narrative by Dr. Smith
- Dr. Smith's Podcast: in interview format with Amelie Southwood, LMHC, an early career therapist herself.
- Friday Zoom Group with Dr. Smith (10 per trimester, 75 min. each). Time for group discussion on clinical application of principles. Recorded for those unable to attend.
- Unlimited Q & A: Write in questions at any time and receive personal answers. Those of general interest will become part of a Q & A Video Library accessible to all learners.
- Exclusive Learner Exchange Forum hosted by Howtherapyworks.com
Learners are free to choose among materials, in what order, and at a pace that works for them. Each is entitled to participate in 10 Friday groups per trimester.
The course will follow Dr. Smith’s textbook, Psychotherapy: a Practical Guide
(sold separately)
Here’s what leaders in the field say:
“It is remarkable how much Jeffery Smith packs into a small, readable volume. Covering a wide range of theoretical perspectives and clinical challenges, Smith lays out clearly and in detail how he works and offers a valuable integrative understanding of the essential elements in good clinical work. An important contribution to the field.”
– Paul Wachtel, PhD, Author of Therapeutic Communication: What to say when
“A thoughtful, integrative guide to psychotherapy from a wise and seasoned psychiatrist. Jeffery Smith demonstrates charity to all therapies that work and malice only toward the rigid and ineffective. His emphasis on entrenched dysfunctional patterns and affect avoidance will prove useful to practitioners of all professions and persuasions.”
– John C. Norcross, PhD, Distinguished Professor, University of Scranton & SUNY Upstate Medical University, co-editor of Handbook of Psychotherapy Integration

Trimester 1
How Therapy Works
The Affect Avoidance Model:
Theory built for practice
- Psychopathology
- Entrenched Maladaptive Patterns
- How one EMP covers another
- Change mechanisms
- Role of emotion
- Therapeutic relationship
- Development

Trimester 2
What Therapists Do
Practical Session Management: What to follow and how
- Initial Session
- Formulation
- Flow of sessions
- Exploration and emotion
- Transference and the inner child
- Adjustments

Trimester 3
Treatable Problems & Practical Approaches
Beyond Disorders, a catalog of real problems and their management
- Behavioral choices
- Compulsive behaviors
- Problem emotions
- Shame & guilt
- Automatic thoughts
- Grief & depression
- Anxiety related
- Trauma & dissociation
Some questions answered
If these don’t answer your questions, please use the contact form or email me personally at [email protected]
Can I go at my own pace?
Will I have access after completing the course?
Will my learning style be addressed?
How long is the program?
What if I can’t afford to join?
A coherent way to make practical sense of diverse therapies and complex problems
All therapies really use the same few processes. We help you gain skill with all techniques including those you already know, As you understand problems and processes, you will be confident in working with all kinds of patients and problems.
Are you ready to follow process, not method?
Be part of a small group class, who will interact with Dr. Smith to apply theory to daily practice. Use contact form to join wait list for next session.
Jeffery Smith MD
Associate clinical professor of Psychiatry at New York Medical College, Decades teaching psychotherapy, voted Teacher of the Year. Distinguished Lifetime Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Leader of the APA’s Psychotherapy Caucus. Founder of the Convergence Special Interest Group of SEPI (The Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration). Author of books for therapists and consumers, and consulting psychotherapist in Scarsdale, New York.

