Rita LaBrew

Rita LaBrew, LMFT, licensed in New York and New Jersey, brings extensive experience in foster care, child welfare, private practice, and telehealth. I provide a collaborative, thoughtful therapy experience grounded in clinical expertise and evidence-informed care. Together, we'll work toward greater insight, emotional resilience, and meaningful, lasting change. I work with adults who are ready to move beyond simply managing symptoms and are willing to explore the deeper patterns shaping their lives. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, family-of-origin concerns, life transitions, or longstanding emotional patterns, therapy offers an opportunity to understand not only what you're experiencing, but why.

I use an insight-oriented (psychodynamic) approach to help you understand the roots beneath the pattern—family-of-origin dynamics, protective roles, and the stories you’ve had to live by.

My approach is primarily psychodynamic, integrating psychoeducation to help make complex emotional experiences more understandable and practical. Together, we explore how early relationships, unconscious patterns, protective roles, and present-day experiences influence your emotions, relationships, and decisions. As insight grows, clients often find themselves responding to life's challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and intention. Clients often describe my style as thoughtful, direct, and collaborative. I strive to create a space where curiosity replaces self-criticism, where difficult experiences can be understood without judgment, and where lasting change develops through deeper self-awareness rather than temporary solutions. My practice is best suited for adults seeking ongoing outpatient psychotherapy and is not a fit for higher-acuity or crisis-focused care. I may refer clients whose needs would be better served by a higher level of care, specialized treatment, or services outside my scope of practice. Please note that I do not provide documentation or written support for court, custody, disability, or other legal matters, and my practice is not a fit for individuals seeking therapy primarily for court-related issues. My goal is always to help clients find the care that best meets their needs.