Find a therapist

Rika Lopez, LMFT

Based in California Online sessions

Healing relationships and intimacy

Book with Rika
Years in practice
15
Credentials
LMFT
Licensed in
California
Languages
English, Japanese
Focus
Addictions
Focus
Relationship issues
Focus
Trauma and abuse
About

About Rika

Rika Lopez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 15 years of experience helping adults and couples navigate painful relationship patterns. She speaks English and Japanese and practices in California. Her work often centers on intimacy challenges and the fallout that follows when trust is broken.

Rika focuses on practical steps people can use right away. She helps clients identify repeating behaviors and the feelings underneath them. Conversations are direct but compassionate, and she uses tools that people can try between sessions.

Background and approach

Many clients come for help with sexual compulsivity, infidelity, or other intimacy-related struggles. She also supports people dealing with addiction, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, and anger. Parenting concerns and multicultural issues are additional areas she addresses.

Her approach draws on attachment work, client-centered conversation, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and psychodynamic ideas. That mix lets her look at patterns from different angles and tailor practical interventions to each person. Rika often works with partners who have been hurt and with individuals who feel shame around their behavior.

Sessions include skill building, exploring underlying needs, and planning steps for rebuilding trust and emotional safety. She aims to create steady progress over time rather than quick fixes. People who prefer a faith-informed perspective can say so at the start, and she will incorporate clients' values into treatment when requested.

Her practice also supports those dealing with compassion fatigue and life transitions.

Focus areas and approaches

What Rika works with

Everything Rika lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Rika helps people with.

Approaches Rika lists

Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.

Online support

Therapeutic approaches for online relationship work

Attachment-based work focuses on how early and current relationships shape emotional responses. It helps clients see why they react strongly in close relationships and practices new ways to reach for support.

Client-centered Therapy puts the client's experience at the center of the session. The therapist listens without judgment, reflects what is said, and helps clients find their own solutions, which is useful for building self-trust and reducing shame.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. It teaches concrete strategies to change unhelpful thinking and to try new behaviors, which can reduce anxiety, depression, and compulsive patterns.

Rika treats the choice of approach as a collaborative process. She will talk with each person about goals, try methods that fit their needs, and adjust the plan based on what actually helps. That way the work evolves as progress emerges.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people have full conversation and face-to-face interaction. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging suit short check-ins, step-by-step homework, or people who prefer writing to speaking. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and keep momentum between appointments.
Questions

Questions people ask about Rika

What concerns does Rika commonly address?

Rika works with issues such as addictions, relationship and intimacy struggles, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, anger, self-esteem, parenting concerns, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style combines direct, compassionate conversation with practical tools. Sessions aim to identify repeating patterns and teach skills clients can use between visits.

What is her professional background?

She has 15 years of clinical experience working with adults and couples, including work focused on intimacy-related behaviors and relationship repair.

Where is she licensed and practicing?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English and Japanese.

What session formats are available?

She meets with clients through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How is cost handled 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 her?

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

More therapists for parents in California

All in California

California 23 years in practice

Intimacy and relationship-focused therapy

  • LGBT
  • Relationship
  • Intimacy-related issues

California 17 years in practice

Practical therapy and parenting support

  • Self esteem
  • Career
  • Stress, Anxiety

California 20 years in practice English, Spanish

Supportive therapist for parenting and relationships

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Relationship
  • Trauma and abuse