Dr. Rita Hage

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a solid background in evidence-based care, combined with genuine compassion and a commitment to helping my patients overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. Over the past eight years, I have worked with children, teens, and adults on various mental health issues. My research experience covers topics like disordered eating, self-esteem, and media influences, which helps me understand how external factors affect mental health. Most importantly, I see therapy as a partnership built on trust, respect, and your unique strengths and experiences.

I earned my Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University New England, along with Master degrees in Clinical Psychology and Media Studies, and a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA. My experience includes APA-accredited placements at respected institutions, including the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System. I have also done training in assessments, counseling, and residential treatments for children and families. I currently run a private practice at Inspired Minds Psychological Services PLLC and support Veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is deeply meaningful to me. I am licensed to practice in Florida and Texas.

I take a multidisciplinary, integrative approach that combines proven evidence-based therapies with supportive, client-centered techniques to suit your unique needs. Instead of a one-size-fits-all method, I customize treatment. Some core therapies I often use include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you recognize and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to challenges like anxiety, depression, OCD, and more.
• Exposure-based techniques, like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD or other exposure therapies to overcome phobias, social anxiety, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and more, to help you face fears gradually and safely while reducing avoidance.
• Trauma-focused interventions, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Written Exposure Therapy (WET) are especially helpful for PTSD and similar conditions, using methods that have proven effective.

I combine these therapies with supportive work such as building self-compassion, exploring relationship patterns, and examining lifestyle or environmental factors. Therapy is a team effort: we set goals together, track your progress, and make changes as needed to keep the process empowering and true to your values and life.

You can expect a safe and welcoming space where our sessions will feel meaningful and productive. We’ll begin with an introductory session where you can share your story and what you hope to get out of therapy. Although everyone’s journey is different, some common takeaways from our work together include:

• Practical tools and skills: Clear strategies you can use between sessions and well beyond therapy to better manage your symptoms.
• Greater self-understanding: Learning how your thoughts, feelings, past experiences, and current habits connect and help boost self-compassion.
• Reduced symptoms and improved functioning: Noticeable relief from challenges like anxiety, low mood, intrusive thoughts, avoidance, or trauma-related distress. This often leads to better relationships, improved work or school performance, and a higher quality of life.
• A stronger sense of agency: Gaining confidence to face challenges on your own, with a personalized set of tools for future stress.
• Hope and momentum: Many clients say they leave sessions feeling more hopeful, understood, and prepared—even on tough days—because we focus on both quick relief and lasting change.

Progress looks different for everyone, and we’ll work together to figure out what meaningful improvement means for you. I’m here to support you at every step.