Wayland Smith, LCSW

Licensed in Illinois · 38 years in practice

Wayland Smith is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois with 38 years of experience.

License and registration

LCSW, Illinois: 149004102 · expires November 2027
NPI: 1073744140 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 38
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Wayland

Wayland Smith is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois with 38 years of experience. He speaks English and works with people who are dealing with problems like anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, or relationship strain. He meets people where they are and focuses on practical steps to make life more manageable.

Wayland believes clients are the experts on their own lives and builds on their strengths. Sessions typically include straightforward conversations about what’s causing distress and small, concrete changes to try between meetings.

Background and approach

He treats mood issues such as bipolar disorder and depression as part of everyday life challenges rather than something to be labeled and left unexplored. His work also covers family-related concerns, parenting challenges, intimacy issues, and coping with major life changes. Wayland addresses process addictions and substance concerns alongside emotional struggles like anger, low self-esteem, and isolation.

He pays attention to complex situations such as co-morbidity, personality-related patterns, and blended family dynamics. Over decades of practice he has helped people facing vocation and life-purpose questions, seasonal affective concerns, and the stresses that come with aging. Veterans and those connected to the armed forces are included among the focus areas he understands.

The approach is steady, pragmatic, and aimed at daily improvements. For someone nervous about starting therapy, Wayland emphasizes small steps and practical support. He encourages people to try one session and see how talking things through can bring immediate relief and clearer next steps.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Wayland lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Family conflicts
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Coping with life changes
ADHD
Aging and geriatric issues
Blended family issues
Co-morbidity
Codependency
Communication problems
Dependent personality
Fatherhood issues
Forgiveness
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Personality disorders
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-love

Online support

Approaches that translate well to online care

Wayland uses practical, evidence-based techniques that map onto short-term goals and daily life. One common approach focuses on identifying unhelpful patterns in thinking and behavior and testing small changes to see if they reduce stress and mood symptoms; this can help with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Another approach emphasizes building routines and coping strategies to manage addictions, bipolar mood swings, seasonal affective symptoms, and the stress of life transitions.

Finding the right mix of methods is a collaborative process. Wayland will listen to the problems you bring, discuss options, and try approaches that match your needs and preferences. Together you set goals and adjust methods as you learn what helps most.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls are useful for deeper conversations and visual connection. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging let clients share thoughts between calls and fit support into busy days. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into work and family life while keeping consistent contact with a licensed professional.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Wayland commonly help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting issues, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, and other life changes.

How would you describe his approach in sessions?

He uses practical, evidence-based therapeutic techniques and focuses on clients' strengths to identify small, concrete steps people can try between sessions.

What kind of background does he bring to therapy?

He has 38 years of professional experience and centers work on building everyday coping skills while respecting each person’s story.

Where is he licensed and practicing?

He holds an LCSW credential licensed in Illinois and works with people in that state context.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.

What session formats are available for remote work?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication preferences.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a meeting according to therapist availability.

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