Licensed to practice in California and accepts 26 insurances. Specializes in ADHD, Anxiety, Career Counseling and 10 more.
Gita Rai
(she/her)
First and foremost, it is a privilege and an honor to be considered as your therapist. I recognize the courage it takes to seek support, and I am committed to creating a space where you feel seen, heard, and respected throughout your therapeutic journey. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California, and I provide therapy to individuals, adolescents, and families navigating a wide range of challenges. My areas of specialization include anxiety, mood disorders, life transitions, grief and loss, substance use concerns, and eating disorders. I have extensive experience working in both outpatient and inpatient settings, supporting clients with diverse backgrounds and needs. I also have experience working with neurodivergent individuals, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and co-occurring mental health concerns. Additionally, I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing acculturative stress, major life transitions, immigration-related challenges, and the unique experiences of first-generation individuals and children of immigrants. As the daughter of East Indian immigrants and the oldest child in my family, I understand many of the complexities that can arise when navigating multiple cultures, family expectations, identity, and belonging. My approach to therapy is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and collaboration. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can openly explore your experiences, emotions, and personal challenges. I believe that every person is the expert of their own story, and my role is to help scaffold your narrative, build upon your existing strengths, and support you in discovering new pathways toward healing and growth. Drawing from a variety of evidence-based modalities, I aim to foster resilience, self-awareness, self-efficacy, and lasting well-being. Together, we can work toward creating meaningful change while honoring your values, experiences, and personal journey.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, my goal is to create a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where you feel respected, heard, and valued. I understand that starting therapy can feel vulnerable, and I strive to help you feel safe and comfortable sharing your story at a pace that feels right for you. During our initial session, I will take time to get to know you as a whole person. Together, we’ll explore what brings you to therapy, including any current challenges you may be facing, such as anxiety, stress, life transitions, grief, relationship concerns, or other emotional difficulties. I may also ask about your personal history, relationships, strengths, and values so I can better understand your unique experiences and perspective. I believe therapy is most effective when it is collaborative and tailored to your individual needs. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I will work alongside you to identify meaningful goals for therapy—whether that involves improving emotional well-being, developing coping skills, navigating life changes, strengthening relationships, or gaining a deeper understanding of yourself. My hope is that our first session leaves you feeling supported, understood, and empowered with a clearer sense of how we can work together toward the changes you would like to see in your life.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I offer a supportive, culturally responsive space where you can speak openly and authentically without fear of judgment. My approach is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. Through thoughtful questions and reflective dialogue, I help clients gain clarity about their experiences, identify their needs, and explore meaningful paths forward. I specialize in working with individuals navigating acculturative stress, major life transitions, new beginnings, immigration-related challenges, and the unique experiences of being a first-generation immigrant or the child of immigrants. As the daughter of East Indian immigrants and the oldest child in my family, I understand the complexities of balancing multiple cultural identities, family expectations, and the responsibility of navigating uncharted territory in a new country. I am passionate about holding space for clients who identify as BIPOC, first-generation, or multicultural, while recognizing that each person’s story is unique. My goal is to create an environment where you feel seen, heard, and understood as we explore your challenges, strengths, and values together. In our work, I will also introduce you to the therapy process, explain what to expect from sessions, and, when appropriate, provide practical tools and strategies to help you begin addressing your concerns and building resilience.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Gita Rai is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. Gita is committed to providing therapy to individuals, adolescents, and families facing a wide array of challenges. Her areas of specialization include mood disorders, life transitions, anxiety, grief, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Gita has extensive experience working in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She also has a background in supporting neurodivergent (ND) individuals, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), (ADHD), and dual diagnoses. Gita’s approach to therapy centers on creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences and emotions openly. scaffold each client’s narrative, empowering them to heal and cultivate personal growth. Tailoring her therapeutic interventions to meet the unique needs of each client, Gita draws from a range of modalities designed to foster resilience, self-efficacy, and well-being.
Specialties
Top specialties
ADHD
Anxiety
Career Counseling
Other specialties
Coping Skills
Depression
LGBTQ
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Peer Relationships
Racism
Self Esteem
Spirituality
Women's Issues
I identify as
Asian / Asian American
Hindu
Person of Color (POC)
Woman
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Blue Cross
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Arlo
Cash - $150 per session
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
Evernorth
GTEB
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that helps clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected—and how changing unhelpful patterns can improve emotional well-being.
Humanistic
In practice, a provider using humanistic therapy may utilize reflective listening, open-ended questions, emotional validation, and present-focused exploration to help clients deepen self-awareness and better understand their thoughts, feelings, values, and interpersonal patterns. The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a central component of healing, as clients often benefit from experiencing genuine acceptance and empathy within session.
Existential
As Viktor Frankl wrote in Man's Search for Meaning, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” As a provider, I use existential therapy to help clients explore meaning, purpose, identity, personal responsibility, and the realities of the human experience. This approach supports clients in examining themes such as freedom, isolation, grief, life transitions, mortality, and authenticity while encouraging them to make intentional choices aligned with their values and goals.