Rita Downs , LPC

Rita Downs is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Oregon with 25 years of experience across clinical work and behavioral health administration. She focuses on helping people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction concerns, parenting challenges, and major life changes. Rita emphasizes practical support and straightforward conversation to help people move forward. She encourages anyone taking the first step toward therapy and acknowledges that starting can take courage.

Rita centers sessions on the person's own goals and strengths. She uses clear, collaborative methods so clients can try things that fit their life. Sessions often include working through specific coping skills, identifying patterns that contribute to anxiety or low mood, and setting small, reachable goals.

Her approach draws from client-centered methods that prioritize the person's perspective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques are used to notice and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior. Motivational Interviewing helps when people feel stuck or uncertain about change.

Rita also brings trauma-focused and solution-focused tools when those fit the situation. These can help people process difficult experiences and find practical steps forward. She works in ways that aim to make changes manageable rather than overwhelming.

Sessions are offered in English and are available through phone, video calls, live chat, or text-based messaging. Insurance and costs vary by location and scheduling; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, a person selects the Start Therapy button, completes a short matching questionnaire, and schedules according to therapist availability.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's perspective and strengths. The therapist listens closely and helps people clarify goals and make choices that match their values. This approach is useful for building confidence and shaping a direction for change.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It teaches simple exercises to notice unhelpful thinking and try different behaviors. CBT can be especially helpful for anxiety, depression, and problems with impulsivity or coping skills.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, preferences, and what has helped or not helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust them as progress is made.

Online sessions give practical flexibility. Video calls are useful for face-to-face conversation and working through worksheets or exercises. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging allow for ongoing prompts, brief reflections, and support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other routines.