Ricardo Ortega, LMHC

Ricardo Ortega is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in New York. He brings 15 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and aims to make conversations straightforward and respectful.

Ricardo uses a person-centered approach that focuses on the client's perspective. He listens first, then works with each person to shape goals and next steps. He also draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try practical changes in daily routines.

Emotionally-focused work appears when relationship feelings and attachment issues come up, and existential ideas are used to address purpose and meaning during big life changes. Sessions are conversational and goal-directed, with space to reflect and plan. Ricardo says the first step often feels hard, and he supports people through that process.

He has worked with a wide range of concerns, including LGBT issues, parenting struggles, addictions, career questions, and coping after disasters or trauma. Additional focus areas listed include hospice and end-of-life counseling, immigration and veteran-related issues, and multicultural and prejudice-related concerns.

Ricardo aims to tailor the sessions to each person's needs and preferences. He encourages straightforward dialogue and practical steps people can use between meetings. To begin, readers should follow the site's Start Therapy flow to match and schedule a session.

How Ricardo’s approaches translate to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting the client's experience. In an online setting this means sessions center on what matters most to the person, with the therapist helping to clarify goals and priorities in plain language.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people notice unhelpful thinking and try different behaviors to change how they feel. Online sessions can include practical exercises, thought records, and step-by-step plans to practice between meetings.

Emotionally-focused work looks at attachment and strong emotions in relationships. When relationship patterns come up, the therapist helps identify feelings and moves people toward new ways of responding that feel safer and more connected.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Ricardo will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs and goals, adjusting the plan as progress is made. The process is shared and flexible rather than fixed.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into a busy day, allow for shorter check-ins, and make it possible to keep therapy going across life transitions. Talk with the therapist during the match and scheduling steps to confirm which formats are offered and what will work best for day-to-day life.