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Calm has teamed up with Grow Therapy to connect you with a mental health therapist who accepts your health insurance.

Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 55 insurances. Specializes in ADHD, Anxiety, Depression and 8 more.

Rita Skillern

LCSW, 12 years of experience
Authentic
Direct
Solution oriented
VirtualAvailable

About me

I deeply understand the complexities of seeking support and the courage it takes to embark on this journey. My experiences have shaped my approach to therapy, making me empathetic to the struggles and triumphs of my clients. I’m here to provide a compassionate, open-minded space to work together towards your goals and well-being. I’m committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where you feel understood and valued. Compassion in our sessions means I listen to you with empathy and care, acknowledging your challenges and celebrating your progress. This supportive approach helps foster a trusting relationship where you can openly explore and address your concerns. I am dedicated to continuous learning and professional development, which allows me to stay current with the latest research and best practices in the field. This commitment enhances my ability to provide effective, evidence-based interventions and support.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our sessions, you’ll find that I approach our conversations with a broad perspective and a genuine curiosity about your experiences and views. My goal is to help you feel more confident and capable in your own life. You can expect a space where you are listened to with an open mind, encouraged to take charge of your journey, and supported with genuine compassion. This combination is designed to help you grow and thrive in a way that feels authentic to you. FYI: My working hours are 11-2pm and 6-8pm Monday-Thursday. I am able to make exceptions outside of stated hours for established clients only at this time. Grow is allowing clients to schedule outside of these hours, and it causes problems for me. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths is empathizing deeply with my clients. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel truly heard and understood. This compassionate approach helps build a strong therapeutic alliance and fosters a supportive environment for personal growth. My background has equipped me with a broad understanding of psychiatric issues and effective treatment strategies, enabling me to tailor my approach to meet your unique needs. I excel at adapting my therapeutic methods to fit client's needs and preferences. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues, I am flexible in my approach, ensuring that our sessions are aligned with your specific goals and circumstances.

Specialties

Top specialties

ADHD

Anxiety

Depression

Other specialties

Anger Management

Crisis Intervention

Family Conflict

Life Transitions

Military/Veterans

Parenting

Peer Relationships

Self Esteem

Identifies as

Black / African American

Woman

Serves ages

Adults (18 to 64)

Elders (65 and above)

Licensed in

California

Texas

Accepts

Aetna

Aetna - ASR Health Benefits

Aetna - Allied Benefits

Aetna - Luminare

Aetna - Moda

Aetna - WebTPA

Aetna – HealthEZ

All Savers

Amerihealth Administrators

Arlo

AvMed

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Anthem

Independence Administrators

Independence Blue Cross

Blue Shield

Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)

Sutter Health Plan

IHSS Healthy Workers

Cash - $120 per session

Centivo

Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)

Cigna

Cigna - HealthEZ

EAP:Cigna

EAP:Evernorth

EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum

Evernorth

GTEB

Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)

Golden Rule

Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare

Health Net (Medi-Cal)

Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)

CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)

Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal

L.A. Care PASC-SEIU

L.A. Care Covered

L.A. Care Covered Direct

L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)

UnitedHealthcare/Optum

Optum

OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions

Oscar

Oxford

Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)

San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)

Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal

Sharp Health Plan

Surest (formerly Bind)

Tufts Health/Cigna

United Medical Resources

UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance

UnitedHealthcare Shared Services

UnitedHealthcare StudentResources

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Motivational Interviewing

I have experience in several modalities. I find it's best to ask the client questions using each modality. That way, I can see which modality the client best responds to, and tailor their treatment from there.

, 42 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

April 2, 2026

Rita is warm and very down-to-earth, a real person you can relate to.

Verified client, age 45-54
Review shared after session 1 with Rita

December 3, 2025

Talking with Rita has been so great on my current healing journey. She makes our conversations approachable and relevant by offering feedback and keeping the mood light. I was nervous about having to commit to virtual sessions, but Rita gives the same level of care as if we were sitting in the same room. I appreciate all of the help I’ve received thus far.

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 4 with Rita

October 13, 2025

She is the absolute best by far.

Verified client, age 35-44
Review shared after session 1 with Rita