Joseph Rifici (He/Him)

Joseph Rifici is an Ohio licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) with 14 years of experience. He brings a practical, down-to-earth approach and focuses on helping people manage anger, stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, and related concerns. He aims to make therapy straightforward and usable for day-to-day life.

He began his clinical work at a residential addiction treatment center in Akron, Ohio, providing individual and group therapy, brief family sessions, crisis intervention, and case management. He later moved into a supervisory role as assistant clinical director, where he coordinated treatment teams and admissions while supporting other counselors.

Joseph trained in community counseling with a Master of Arts in Education and completed focused work on Cognitive Behavior Therapy through the Beck Institute. He also has training in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and addiction treatment. These experiences guide how he structures sessions and sets practical goals.

In recent years he has worked in private organizations delivering treatment to adults with a wide range of mental health concerns. He typically uses cognitive behavioral methods paired with a warm, collaborative style and adapts his approach to each person’s needs and preferences.

Outside of work he enjoys reading, hiking, listening to music, visiting with family and friends, and spending time with his cat, Charlie. He practices in Ohio and conducts sessions in English.

How Joseph’s Approaches Translate to Online Work

Joseph commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ACT focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small steps toward them while accepting difficult thoughts and feelings. It can help with persistent worry, anger, and life transitions. CBT breaks down unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and teaches concrete skills to change them, which is useful for anxiety, depression, anger, and addiction.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust as needed. Clients and the therapist decide together what tools and practices feel most helpful for day-to-day changes.

Confirm current session options before booking, as specific online formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also lets people use therapy from different locations when that helps them attend more consistently. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises, homework, and skills practice for remote sessions to match each person’s needs.