Dr. Rita Smith, MD, LCPC, LPC
Parenting-focused counselor for real-life change
Explore online therapy options- Years in practice
- 25
- Credentials
- MD, LCPC, LPC
- Licensed in
- Georgia, Maryland
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Family conflicts
About Rita
Dr. Rita Smith is a licensed counselor based in Georgia who brings 25 years of clinical experience to her work. She holds an MD and is credentialed as an LCPC and LPC.
She focuses on practical support for parents and adults facing stress, relationship strain, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her approach centers on listening first and building a plan that fits each person's situation. She mixes client-centered conversations with techniques from cognitive behavioral and solution-focused therapies.
Background and approach
Sessions aim to clarify priorities, try small changes, and track what helps. Dr. Smith has worked in community agencies, university settings, independent practice, and military installations.
That background informs how she approaches career challenges, workplace issues, and concerns related to military life. She emphasizes realistic steps over complex jargon. In sessions she addresses common parenting pressures such as communication breakdowns, couple conflict, and balancing work and family demands.
She also helps people process grief, trauma, and major life shifts while rebuilding self-esteem and daily routines. Her style is straightforward and goal-oriented. Clients can expect practical strategies, short exercises to try between meetings, and a steady focus on what moves their life forward.
She encourages people to define what a meaningful, manageable life looks like for them and to take gradual steps toward it.
What Rita works with
Everything Rita lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Rita helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Self-love
- Workplace issues
Approaches Rita lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused 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 for online parenting support
Dr. Smith commonly blends client-centered work and cognitive behavioral strategies in online sessions. Client-centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the person's priorities, which helps when parents need a nonjudgmental space to talk through problems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks unhelpful thoughts and routines into parts you can change, which is useful for anxiety, low mood, or stress-related parenting struggles.Finding the right approach is part of the process. She works collaboratively to decide what fits each person's goals and preferences. That means trying tools together, checking how they feel in daily life, and adjusting the plan as needed rather than sticking to one method from the start.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which give flexibility for busy schedules. Video calls let people use visual cues for relationship-focused work. Phone sessions can be shorter check-ins or fit a break at work. Live chat and text messaging make it easier to share quick updates or get support between sessions. These options help parents balance therapy with family and work demands while moving toward clearer communication and calmer routines.
Questions people ask about Rita
What concerns does Dr. Smith commonly address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, self-esteem, career strain, grief, trauma and other life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style blends client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral and solution-focused strategies to set practical goals and test small changes between sessions.
What kind of background does she bring to sessions?
Dr. Smith has 25 years in the helping professions, including work in agencies, universities, independent practice, and military installations.
What credentials and location are on her profile?
She holds an MD and is listed as an LCPC and LPC in Georgia.
Which languages are supported and can she work with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for online work?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
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 Dr. Smith?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.
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