Rutanya Simon, LICSW, LCSW

Rutanya Simon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, holding the credentials LICSW and LCSW, with nine years of clinical experience helping people navigate life transitions and mental health challenges. She combines professional training in clinical social work with a warm, nonjudgmental presence, inviting clients to take the lead in identifying the changes they want to make while she provides structure, guidance, and practical interventions. Rutanya's career has included three years working within the court system, where she supported individuals through recovery and legal-related stressors, followed by five years focused on family work to improve functioning and quality of life despite difficult circumstances.

Her areas of experience include depression, stress, anxiety, anger management, self-esteem concerns, addiction, and trauma. Rutanya describes her approach as conversational, solution-focused, and holistic, emphasizing behavior change and prosocial activities that support healthier routines and better outcomes. She prioritizes a collaborative relationship in which the client is treated as the expert of their own life while she helps maintain focus on achievable goals. Rutanya welcomes clients seeking practical strategies and compassionate support for change and growth.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Rutanya uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive, collaborative space where the person seeking help is treated as the expert of their own life. This approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and working from the client’s values to set meaningful goals - it can be especially helpful for relationship concerns, life transitions, and building self-esteem.

She also integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is practical and skills-based, often used to address anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, and impulsivity by teaching tools for regulation and problem solving.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. Rutanya collaborates with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies over time as progress is made.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and connect with a therapist from different locations while still receiving structured, professional care.