Rita Simmonds, LMHC - Therapist in New York

Collaborative care
Focus on sleep
Practical coping

About Rita

Rita Simmonds is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in New York who helps people facing stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, grief, and changes that feel overwhelming. She focuses on building practical coping skills and clearer day-to-day routines. Her style is calm and straightforward so parents and busy adults can make steady progress without jargon.

Rita uses a mix of approaches to match each person’s needs. She draws from client-centered work to keep sessions collaborative, cognitive behavioral ideas to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and EMDR when trauma memories need direct attention. She also incorporates existential questions about meaning and DBT skills for emotion regulation when those fit.

Rita offers a faith-aware option for people who want a Christian-informed perspective, and she keeps that approach guided by the client rather than imposed. She pays particular attention to identity and life transitions, and she supports people coping with attachment or abandonment concerns, body image, chronic illness, caregiver stress, and related issues.

With five years of clinical experience, Rita aims to make therapy practical and usable between sessions. She helps clients translate insights into daily routines, better sleep habits, and improved communication. Sessions look at small, achievable steps so change feels manageable.

Readers interested in working with Rita can expect a collaborative process that balances emotional exploration with concrete strategies for sleep, stress, and relationship challenges.

Therapeutic approaches you can try online

Rita uses client-centered work to keep the conversation focused on the client's priorities and values, helping people set goals and shape sessions around what matters most. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offers clear tools to identify and change thoughts and habits that interfere with sleep, mood, and daily routines. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be used when trauma memories are disrupting daily life, offering a structured way to reduce the intensity of those memories.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. Rita works with each person to decide which methods feel most helpful based on goals, symptoms, and personal preferences. The plan can change as progress is made, and decisions are made together rather than prescribed in advance.

The original profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online work helps fit therapy into busy days, reduces travel, and makes it easier to keep regular appointments. Others appreciate being able to do shorter check-ins when schedules are tight or to choose a session type that suits their energy level for the day. Rita aims to help clients use online sessions in ways that support better sleep, steadier routines, and clearer coping strategies.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / loneliness Life purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

5+ years

Credentials

New York

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Rita commonly address?

Rita works with stress, anxiety, sleep problems, grief, depression, trauma and many related issues such as self-esteem, addictions, and relationship or intimacy-related struggles.

What is Rita's therapeutic style like?

Her style is collaborative and straightforward, combining client-centered listening with practical techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and skills-based approaches like DBT when useful.

What background and experience does she have?

Rita has five years of clinical experience helping people manage emotional challenges and life transitions while developing routines that support sleep and daily functioning.

What credentials and location apply to Rita?

She is a licensed mental health counselor, LMHC, practicing in New York.

Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English, and Rita is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available?

The original profile does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options with the service before booking.

How does pricing work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Rita?

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