Rilda Smith

Rilda Smith is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist with 22 years of experience who helps people facing anger, stress, anxiety, grief, sleep problems, and major life changes. She writes plainly and listens closely so clients can describe what feels stuck. Her approach is warm and practical, aimed at daily challenges like caring for others, handling finances, and getting rest.

Rilda sees problems in the context of relationships and life roles. She notices how family, work, and community shape feelings and behaviors. That perspective guides conversations about communication, boundaries, and coping strategies.

Her work often focuses on grief and loss in many forms, caregiver strain, compassion fatigue, and the emotional fallout of change. She also supports people with anger, low self-esteem, depression, ADHD concerns, and struggles around food and career choices.

A significant part of her practice has involved helping Third Culture Kids transition to life in the United States, including adult TCKs. That experience informs how she talks about identity, belonging, and cultural shifts.

Rilda uses a mix of client-centered listening and evidence-informed methods to map small, concrete steps forward. She partners with clients to set goals, try new skills, and notice what helps. The emphasis is on practical progress and making changes that fit everyday life.

How her approaches work in online therapy

Client-centered therapy puts the client's experience at the center. The therapist listens without judgment, follows what matters to the client, and helps the client name goals and next steps. This approach supports issues like anger, relationship concerns, and life transitions by focusing on what the person wants to change.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going. It breaks big issues into small, testable steps - for example, changing a thought, trying a new behavior, or practicing a different reaction when anger rises. CBT can help with anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, and managing strong emotions.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple ways to notice thoughts and bodily reactions without getting swept away by them. That can help reduce reactivity, improve sleep, and make clearer choices when emotions run high.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with clients to choose methods that match their goals, preferences, and daily routines. This is a team effort where plans are adjusted as clients try things and report what helps.

Confirm the current session formats before booking so arrangements fit your life. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, avoid travel time, and keep frequent check-ins when needed. Different formats can also allow shorter check-ins or audio-only options when that better suits a day at work or a quieter setting.