Jason Ritenour
Hi, I'm Jason Ritenour. I'm a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), which means I bring both mental health expertise and a whole-person medical perspective to your care. I work with individuals across the lifespan dealing with concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, and other life challenges that can affect day-to-day well-being. My goal is to create a warm, judgment-free space where you feel comfortable being open about what you're going through. In my practice, I take a whole-person approach that combines medication management with practical, evidence-based counseling techniques. If medication could help, I'll walk you through the options, answer your questions, and monitor how you're doing so we can adjust the plan together over time. I also use approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you notice unhelpful thought patterns and build tools for managing stress, along with supportive counseling and motivational strategies to help you feel heard and stay focused on the goals that matter to you. I believe treatment works best as a partnership. You (or your family) know your life and experiences better than anyone, and my role is to bring clinical knowledge and support so we can figure out, together, what actually helps. Sessions are collaborative — I'll check in regularly on how things are going, and we'll adjust our approach as needed. Whether you're dealing with something that's felt hard for a while or you're just starting to explore what support could look like, I'm here to help you find a path forward that feels manageable and realistic for your life.
First session
Your first session is mainly about getting to know you. I'll ask about what's brought you in, your current symptoms, and how they've been affecting your daily life, relationships, work, or school. We'll also talk through your health history, including any past mental health treatment, medications you've tried, and relevant medical or family history. There are no right or wrong answers — this is simply a chance for me to understand your full picture so we can build a plan that actually fits you. This first visit typically runs longer than follow-up sessions, since we're covering a lot of background together. You're welcome to share as much or as little as you're comfortable with at this stage; we can always come back to things in future sessions. By the end of our time together, we'll start talking about next steps. That might include a possible diagnosis, treatment options such as medication or therapy techniques, and what ongoing care could look like. Nothing will be decided without your input — this is a collaborative process, and I want you to feel informed and comfortable with whatever plan we put together. It's normal to feel a little nervous before a first appointment. My goal is to make this space feel comfortable, respectful, and judgment-free from the very first conversation.
Strengths
I bring over 22 years of experience, including specialized training in psychiatric and family care, to my work with clients. I've spent my career learning to understand people's full stories before jumping to solutions, and that experience has shaped how I approach every session. I start by listening — really listening — because I believe people need to feel heard before any plan or feedback will actually land. That said, I'm not someone who just sits back and nods along. Once I understand where you're at, I'll be direct with you — sharing honest observations, asking pointed questions, and gently challenging thoughts or patterns that seem to be holding you back. I'd rather be straightforward with you than tell you what you want to hear, because I think that's what real progress requires. At the same time, directness doesn't mean pressure — I'll always meet you where you are and move at a pace that respects your comfort level. Two decades of clinical experience have taught me patience, honesty, and how to genuinely invest in a person's progress — someone who will listen closely, and speak up when it counts."
Ideal clients
I work well with clients of all agess who are ready to be an active participant in their own care — people who may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, but who are open to honest conversation and willing to try new approaches, even when it's uncomfortable. Whether someone is dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, or something they can't quite name yet, I find the most progress happens with clients who are willing to be honest with themselves and with me, even when that's hard. I especially enjoy working with people who want more than just symptom relief — those looking to understand themselves better, build practical skills, and make real changes in how they think, feel, and show up in their daily lives. Clients don't need to have it all figured out; in fact, most don't. What matters most is a willingness to engage, ask questions, and put in the work between sessions, whether that's trying a new coping strategy or simply reflecting on our conversations. I also work well with clients who appreciate directness. If you want a provider who will listen closely but also tell you the truth and challenge you when it's useful, we're likely a good fit
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you notice the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and to build practical tools for handling stress and difficult emotions. Together, we'll look at thought patterns that might be making things harder than they need to be, and work on ways to see situations more clearly and respond to them differently. Depending on what you're working through, this might include finding small, achievable steps to get you moving again if you're feeling stuck or low, or gradually facing situations that feel scary or overwhelming if anxiety is a big part of the picture. I often suggest simple exercises to try between sessions so the skills we practice together start to feel natural in everyday life. I'll also check in regularly on how you're feeling and doing, so we can adjust our approach together as needed.
Interpersonal
I use Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) to help patients understand how relationships, life transitions, grief, and interpersonal conflicts contribute to their current psychiatric symptoms. I focus on identifying problematic relationship patterns, improving communication and boundary-setting, strengthening social supports, and developing healthier responses to conflict, rejection, and changes in important relationships.
Supportive
I provide a space to talk openly about what you're going through, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical coping strategies. This approach focuses on helping you feel heard and supported while building on your existing strengths.
Location
Virtual sessions