Dr. Rita Dumas

Practical, compassionate therapy for real-life challenges

LMFT California

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Rita

Dr. Rita Dumas brings a practical, evidence-informed style to therapy, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside a client-centered stance to address stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges.

Background and approach

As a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 15 years of professional experience, she works with concerns ranging from parenting and self-esteem to navigating life transitions and rebuilding confidence. Her approach emphasizes collaboration and respect, shaping conversations and treatment plans around each person's needs.

Clients seeking help with communication breakdowns, patterns rooted in family of origin, or the fallout of separation and divorce may find the combination of skill-building and empathic listening useful. Dr.

Dumas also supports work on abandonment issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and learning self-love and healthier control strategies. She frames change as a process that requires courage and offers steady support while helping people develop practical tools to manage emotions and behavior.

Dr. Dumas accepts international clients and provides sessions tailored to varied lifestyles and schedules.

She aims to empower people to make meaningful shifts and to foster greater resilience and well-being over time.

Using CBT and Client-Centered Work Online

Dr. Rita Dumas integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into online work by helping clients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; this approach often focuses on practical strategies for reducing anxiety, managing stress, and strengthening coping skills. She also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which prioritizes empathic listening and the client's own goals so that the pace and content of sessions reflect individual needs and values.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she frames it as a collaborative exploration. Together the therapist and client review concerns, goals, and preferences, then try methods that fit those priorities while adjusting as progress and feedback emerge.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which can make engagement easier for people with busy schedules or those in different locations. These formats allow for flexible scheduling, consistent follow-up, and ongoing access to support and skill practice between sessions, helping therapy to fit into everyday life rather than requiring major disruptions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting questions, self-esteem struggles, and coping with life changes, along with related issues such as abandonment, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, family of origin concerns, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and self-love.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a client-centered attitude, blending practical skill-building with empathic listening to tailor a plan to each person's needs.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 15 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and relational concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the California license CA LMFT 39191 and practices from California.

Can people who live outside the United States work with her?

Yes, she accepts international clients and is available to work with people outside the United States.

Which session formats are offered?

Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are sessions paid for and what does cost depend on?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesSelf esteem Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameSelf-love

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English