Dr. Rita Smith
Compassionate, practical therapy for life changes
MD, LCPC, LPC Georgia
- Experience
- 25 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
- Languages
- English
About Rita
Dr. Rita Smith is a licensed clinician in Georgia who blends cognitive behavioral techniques with person-centered and solution-focused methods to help clients navigate stress, relationship challenges, and life transitions.
Background and approach
With an MD and counseling licenses LCPC and LPC, she draws on 25 years of experience across agencies, universities, independent practice, and military settings to tailor practical strategies that foster greater clarity and emotional balance.
She works with individuals, couples, and families to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy and parenting difficulties, workplace issues, and questions of life purpose. Dr.
Smith emphasizes collaborative goal-setting and skill-building to improve communication, manage anger, and strengthen self-esteem while attending to issues like infidelity, divorce, and forgiveness when they arise. Her approach centers on meeting clients where they are and supporting gradual steps toward well-being and meaningful change.
Clients can expect solution-focused conversations that incorporate mindful awareness and cognitive reframing to reduce distress and increase a sense of agency and hope.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Dr. Smith commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy when working with clients remotely. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can be taught through structured exercises, thought records, and goal setting to address anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, creating a supportive space where clients explore values, relationships, and motivation to change.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist partners with clients to assess needs, preferences, and goals, then adapts techniques - whether skill-building from CBT or reflective, client-led work - to fit each person’s situation and pace.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to engage from different locations and schedules. These formats can make it easier to maintain consistent care, practice skills between sessions, and access support in moments when timely contact is helpful.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
How much clinical experience does she have?
What are her credentials and where is she located?
Does she offer services in languages other than English?
In what formats are sessions offered?
How is cost handled for sessions?
What are the steps to begin working together?
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Licensed
Georgia, Maryland
Languages
English