Rita Simmonds, LMHC
New York · 5 years in practice
Rita Simmonds is a licensed mental health counselor based in New York who helps people facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and low self-esteem.
License and registration
- LMHC, New York
- 016428 · expires June 2028
- NPI
- 1689551145 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 5
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.
About Rita
Rita Simmonds is a licensed mental health counselor based in New York who helps people facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and low self-esteem. She focuses on clear, practical steps so clients can manage stress and feel steadier day to day. Rita blends several approaches to meet each person's needs.
She uses client-centered methods to follow what matters most to the client. She also draws on cognitive behavioral strategies to spot and change unhelpful thinking and behavior.
Background and approach
Rita lists Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, often called EMDR, among the approaches she uses for trauma-related work. Her style is collaborative and straightforward. Sessions tend to focus on skills you can practice between meetings, clearer communication, and ways to cope with big life changes.
She can incorporate a Christian-informed perspective when a client asks for faith to be part of the work, and that is always guided by the client rather than imposed. Rita pays attention to relationship and attachment worries, abandonment concerns, body image, caregiving strain, chronic illness, and issues around identity.
She also supports people dealing with career shifts, parenting strain, and complications from addiction or bipolar mood patterns. With five years of experience as a New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor - LMHC, she aims to help people build resilience and practical coping plans. Rita frames therapy as a team effort where the client’s goals drive the path forward.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Rita lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Rita names
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How Rita’s approaches translate to online therapy
Client-centered work focuses on following what matters to the client, listening for goals, and shaping sessions around those priorities. This approach helps people clarify what they want to change and keeps the work grounded in their values.Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Online CBT typically involves identifying patterns, trying small behavioral experiments, and practicing coping skills between sessions to reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms.
EMDR is listed among the approaches Rita uses for trauma-related concerns. In-session work using EMDR-style methods helps address distress linked to past events while pairing that work with grounding and stabilization techniques when needed.
Choosing the right approach is part of the early work. Rita will discuss options, try techniques, and adjust plans based on a client's needs, goals, and comfort level so therapy stays collaborative.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for full sessions and interactive skill practice. Phone sessions can fit into a busy day or use less bandwidth. Live chat and messaging allow brief check-ins, written reflections, or continuing skill work between meetings. These options offer flexibility so therapy can fit around work, caregiving, or travel.
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Questions people ask
What concerns does Rita commonly help with?
She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression, addiction struggles, and relationship or intimacy-related issues.
What is Rita's therapeutic style like?
Her approach is collaborative and practical, using client-centered methods and skills-based work to address thoughts, behaviors, and coping strategies.
What experience does she bring?
Rita has five years of clinical experience supporting people through trauma, mood concerns, life transitions, and identity questions.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor - LMHC practicing in New York.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Work can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.
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