Rita Downs, LPC

Rita Downs is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Oregon, combining 20 years of clinical work with an additional 10 years in behavioral health administration. She brings broad experience supporting people who are managing stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, facing parenting challenges, dealing with depression, and addressing related life difficulties.

Rita works from the view that individuals are the experts on their own stories and that personal strengths are essential resources in overcoming challenges. Her approach centers on helping clients identify and build on those strengths while developing practical skills to navigate current concerns. She aims to provide steady guidance and respectful collaboration as clients set and pursue meaningful goals.

Rita recognizes that beginning therapy often takes courage and honors the decision to seek help. She affirms clients for taking that first step and remains committed to supporting them through the work ahead.

Therapeutic approaches and online care with Rita Downs

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the client's perspective, offering empathic listening and support while helping individuals explore their values and choices. This approach is well suited for people seeking a collaborative space to reflect and build confidence.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify unhelpful thoughts and patterns and practice concrete skills to manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and stress. CBT is practical and goal-oriented, with strategies people can use between sessions.

Trauma-Focused Therapy is designed to help people process and integrate difficult or traumatic experiences, reducing their impact on daily life and improving coping. It emphasizes safety, pacing, and strategies tailored to each person’s needs.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Rita Downs works collaboratively with clients and with licensed professionals to determine which methods best match a person’s goals, needs, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility and accessibility, allowing sessions to fit around work, caregiving, and other commitments. These formats make it possible to use the same evidence-informed approaches in ways that accommodate different schedules and communication styles, helping clients engage in consistent care from where they are.