- Years in practice
- 15
- Credentials
- LMHC
- Licensed in
- New York
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- LGBT
- Focus
- Grief
About Ricardo
Ricardo Ortega is a New York licensed mental health counselor with 15 years of experience. He offers steady, compassionate support for people juggling stress, anxiety, grief, parenting concerns, and identity-related challenges. Ricardo speaks English and Spanish and aims to make the first steps feel manageable.
Ricardo draws on client-centered work to keep sessions guided by each person's priorities. He uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors.
Background and approach
Emotionally-focused ideas help when relationships or attachment patterns are a central concern. Sessions are practical and conversational. Ricardo tailors the dialogue and goals to each person rather than following a fixed script.
That can include short-term coping skills, problem-solving for daily life, or deeper exploration of values and meaning. He also brings experience with addiction, self-esteem struggles, career stress, and life transitions that follow major losses or change. Additional focus area work includes immigration and multicultural concerns, veteran and first responder issues, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and LGBTQ-related matters.
Ricardo aims to create an accepting space where people can talk through what matters most. He helps parents who want clearer coping strategies and more balance in daily life. His bilingual practice supports Spanish speakers who prefer to use that language in sessions.
What Ricardo works with
Everything Ricardo lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Ricardo helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- First responder issues
- HIV / AIDS
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Young adult issues
Approaches Ricardo lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches you can use online
Ricardo integrates client-centered work to keep sessions focused on the client's goals and priorities. This approach centers on listening, reflecting, and adapting the conversation so the client directs what matters most. It works well when you want space to talk through your concerns and set your own pace.He also uses cognitive behavioral therapy to identify patterns of thought and behavior that keep problems going and to practice concrete alternatives. CBT is helpful for stress, anxiety, mood shifts, and developing coping strategies that you can try between sessions. Emotionally-focused ideas are used when relationship patterns or attachment-related worries are prominent, helping name and shift emotional responses.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Ricardo will work with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences and adjust the plan as progress is made. He checks in regularly to make sure sessions feel useful and relevant.
Online formats offer flexibility for busy schedules and varied needs. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be a simpler way to connect, and live chat or text-based messaging suit quick check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while fitting around work, parenting, and daily life.
Questions people ask about Ricardo
What concerns does Ricardo commonly address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, self-esteem, career stress, parenting concerns, and LGBT-related issues among other topics.
What is his therapy style like?
He uses a client-centered stance and combines cognitive behavioral and emotionally-focused ideas to keep sessions practical and focused on what you need.
How long has he been practicing?
He has 15 years of professional experience working in mental health settings and community care.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is a licensed mental health counselor, NY LMHC, practicing in New York.
Can sessions be held in Spanish?
Yes. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Are online session formats available?
Yes. Sessions can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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