I have been fortunate to provide over 40 years of therapy for individuals experiencing a variety of mental health, substance use and co-occurring difficulties. Like many in the helping fields, my desire to ‘help’ others began in a community based substance use treatment center, completing training and then facilitating interventions for family members concerned for the wellbeing of loved ones. That experience led me down a highly satisfying lifetime journey- a journey which continues to be a passion for me. I am credentialed as a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner as well as Licensed and Drug Counselor in the state of Nebraska and was previously licensed for substance use counseling in Kansas. Prior to the last 26 years, I worked with individuals in residential treatment settings. Since 1995 I have been providing outpatient services through community-based programs.
I have work with individuals, couples, and families as well as facilitated groups for mental health and substance use/abuse. While I have served children, teens and adults, I currently focus on work with adults, utilizing principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma informed principles, and drawing from the many useful techniques which are considered “best practices”. When possible, and only with client approval, I’ve found it helpful for many individuals to engage one or more persons from the client’s support system in their growth journey. While a ‘diagnosis’ can inform and direct best practices, I’ve found it essential to remember that an individual is NOT their diagnosis and thus strive to offer therapy which addresses life skill building as well as tools and techniques which will effectively address the problems and/or symptoms which led the individual to consider therapy. I have worked along side individuals with a wide range of problems including depression, anxiety, relationship and family issues, substance use/abuse and physical and emotional trauma.
It is my belief that everyone should be treated with respect, compassion, sensitivity and honesty while working to reduce the stigma often associated with seeking help.
My own therapy style is warm and interactive and at the same time I work toward the importance of developing a strong trust relationship which allows for honesty and respectfully challenging individuals toward their identified goals. Treatment goals, while discussed together, are an initial focus, helping individuals to clarify and describe the changes they wish to work toward.
If you are ready to explore how to move from ‘where I am now” to “where I want to be”, I invite you to make contact. Change can be a frightening yet exciting journey and you no longer need to walk that road alone.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Rita Ham has provided therapy for more than 40 years, working with people who face mental health, substance use, and co-occurring challenges. Her career began in a community-based substance use treatment center, where she completed training and facilitated family interventions for loved ones concerned about someone’s wellbeing. That early work set the course for a long and satisfying professional journey that remains a passion for her.
She is credentialed as a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and as a Licensed Drug Counselor in Nebraska, and she was previously licensed for substance use counseling in Kansas. Earlier in her career she worked with individuals in residential treatment settings, and beginning in 1995 she has provided outpatient services through community-based programs.
Rita has experience working with individuals, couples, and families, and she has facilitated groups addressing both mental health and substance use. While she has worked with children, teens, and adults, her current focus is on adults. Her clinical approach draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed principles, and a range of evidence-based techniques considered best practices. When appropriate and with client consent, she often invites one or more people from a client’s support system to participate in the therapeutic process.
Rita emphasizes that a diagnosis can guide treatment, but it does not define a person. Her work combines symptom-focused tools with life-skill building to help people move toward their goals. She believes everyone deserves to be treated with respect, compassion, sensitivity, and honesty, and she aims to reduce the stigma that can surround seeking help.
Her therapeutic style is warm and interactive, and she prioritizes a strong trusting relationship that allows for honest conversation and respectful challenge in service of identified goals. If someone is ready to explore the path from where they are now to where they want to be, Rita invites them to make contact and begin that change process with support.
For many common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or navigating life changes, online therapy has been shown to be as effective as traditional in-person sessions.
One major benefit is flexibility – clients can connect in the format that best fits their schedule and comfort, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging. This adaptability makes it simpler to maintain continuity of care even when life is busy or unpredictable.
Licensed professionals provide online therapy, and clients have the option to change therapists if they seek a different fit. For a wide range of everyday mental health needs, online therapy offers an accessible and effective way to work toward personal goals while fitting treatment into daily life.
© All rights reserved.