PuttingFamilyFirst

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RD Portrait of Dr. Rita Dumas
Online therapist

Dr. Rita Dumas

Calm, practical support for parenting challenges

Credentials
LMFT
Experience
15 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Rita

Dr. Rita Dumas uses a practical, client-focused approach to help people navigate parenting and family-related stress. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 15 years of practice.

She speaks English and works with clients inside and outside the U.S. using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Her work centers on reducing anxiety and stress and improving self-esteem and motivation. She also addresses relationship concerns and parenting challenges.

Background and approach

Conversations are framed to be straightforward and respectful, with attention to each person’s needs. Dr. Dumas adapts the pace and topics to fit what each person brings to a session.

She balances listening with practical tools so people can try things between meetings. That might include thinking patterns to change or new ways to handle tense moments at home. She also focuses on issues such as abandonment, communication problems, control issues, and separation.

Topics like family of origin, guilt and shame, forgiveness, and self-love are included when they matter to the client. Her sessions are intended to be collaborative. She works with clients to set clear goals and to pick approaches that match those goals.

If someone is ready to begin, they follow a short matching questionnaire and schedule a time that works for them.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Dr. Dumas uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful space where the person leads the conversation and the therapist follows. This approach emphasizes understanding each person’s perspective and building goals that matter to them.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which looks at how thoughts and behaviors affect feelings. CBT offers practical exercises and small steps to change unhelpful thinking and improve coping for anxiety, stress, and relationship patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will talk with clients about goals and preferences and then try methods that fit those needs. The plan can change over time based on what helps most.

Online sessions make this collaborative process easier to fit into daily life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be used when screens are not convenient, and live chat or text messaging support shorter check-ins and follow-up between meetings. These options offer flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels while keeping therapy consistent and accessible.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting, self-esteem, and coping with life changes, plus related topics like communication problems and divorce.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach is client-centered and practical, combining listening with hands-on strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change thoughts and behaviors.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 15 years of professional experience working with people on the issues listed in her profile.
Where is the therapist licensed and located?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, listed as CA LMFT 39191.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
Yes, she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Sessions may be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How do I start a session with this therapist?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Experience
15 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

Next step

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