About Rita, LCSW, LCSW-C, LICSW
Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I spent several years working in the Information Technology sector. After almost 18 years in the IT industry, I decided to return to school in 2011 to follow my life’s passion - to become a psychotherapist, and in 2015, I created Plumeria Counseling Center.
I was one of only few applicants to be accepted into a demanding accelerated program at George Mason University, where I earned my Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) in 2012. I am now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Maryland (LCSW-C), Virginia (LCSW), and Washington, D.C. (LICSW), and the sole owner of Plumeria Counseling Center, LLC.
My field of study and my past work experience led me to work with a variety of areas that included working with the Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB) at one of their highly intensive, long-term community based residential treatment programs serving individuals with co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders who require integrated and intensive treatment. I also worked with Friends of Guest House who provides reentry support to formerly incarcerated women in Northern Virginia. In addition, I worked with hospice where I helped provide psychosocial support to patient and families as it relates to end of life care, grief, and bereavement emotional/spiritual support.
After graduating from George Mason University, I started working at The Women’s Center (TWC) in Vienna, Virginia where I completed my post graduate training. While working at TWC, I provided psychotherapy to adult individuals and couples.
I also have a specialization in working with survivors of suicide. While at TWC, I co-facilitated a suicide survivor’s grief group through Crisis Link.
I have spent most of my adult life consciously working on the complexity of being human in these extraordinary times. After all, we are spiritual beings having human experiences. I have always been a seeker and the Universe has supported my desire to grow in this lifetime and as a result, my exploration has led me to work with energy, mindfulness and mostly self compassion. Life is hard and I believe by listening to the ways in which we talk to our selves about our lives, most of us are stuck in unkind beliefs about who we are. Unexplored beliefs and their corresponding feelings, sensations and behaviors leave us living our lives unconsciously or in a place of reactivity where we abandon ourselves over and over again. But, I believe it doesn't always have to be this way and by bringing “kindfulness” to our thoughts and feelings, we can shift old ways of being and embrace ourselves with respect and kindness. This “awareness” is the portal to making peace with our selves and coming home to our bodies.
Credentials
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker in MD (LCSW-C), VA (LCSW), and DC (LICSW).
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Masters of Social Work, George Mason University.
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National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
