Profile / United States
Rita Simmonds, LMHC
New York
LMHC in New York - Anxiety and Trauma
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- EMDR options
- Client-centered work
About Rita
Rita Simmonds is a New York licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with five years of clinical experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, depression, and related concerns. Rita works with individuals who want straightforward, practical approaches to feel steadier day to day.
She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside several other methods to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. Sessions include direct skill work, behavioral experiments, and guided reflection aimed at changing patterns that feed distress. Rita also integrates client-centered techniques to keep sessions focused on what matters most to each person.
When trauma is a factor, she uses EMDR methods as one option to address painful memories and reduce their intensity. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills are brought in when emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness are priorities. Existential ideas are used to talk about meaning, choices, and life transitions when those topics come up.
Rita offers a Christian-informed perspective for clients who want faith included; she does not impose beliefs and follows the client’s lead on how faith fits into therapy. She pays particular attention to attachment and abandonment issues, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, and problems with sleep and eating.
Her practice also covers caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, career challenges, and issues around identity and purpose. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time, and anyone interested is asked to complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling a first session.
How Rita Uses Structured Approaches Online
Rita commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR when working with clients. CBT focuses on tracking thoughts and behaviors, testing new responses, and building practical skills for anxiety, depression, and stress. EMDR offers a structured way to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional intensity for people affected by past abuse or distress.She also uses client-centered methods to keep sessions aligned with the client’s priorities and DBT skills when emotion regulation or interpersonal problems are present. Deciding which approach to use is collaborative; Rita helps clients weigh options based on their goals, current difficulties, and what feels manageable in session.
The biography does not list specific online formats, so confirm the available session types before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-in meetings when needed, and remove travel time. Working online still lets a therapist and client practice CBT exercises, try behavioral homework, and use guided memory processing methods like EMDR when both agree it is appropriate.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She commonly helps with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and self-esteem issues, plus related areas like sleep, eating, and relationship concerns.
How does she use CBT in sessions?
CBT is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and to try practical experiments that change how a person reacts day to day.
What is her clinical background?
Rita has five years of experience working as a mental health counselor in New York and incorporates several therapeutic approaches in her work.
What credential does she hold and where is she located?
She is a New York LMHC and practices in New York.
Which languages are offered and can she see international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.