Joseph Rifici (He/Him), LPCC

Joseph Rifici is a licensed professional clinical counselor with more than 14 years in the field. He trained at The Ohio State University and the University of Akron and built his early career supporting adults in residential addiction treatment. He now provides therapy from Ohio, drawing on long experience with mood, addiction, and stress-related concerns.

He spends sessions focusing on thoughts and everyday habits that get in the way of daily life. Joseph uses straightforward, skills-based methods and adapts his style to each person. He works with people dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, substance concerns, ADHD, and related challenges.

Joseph’s background includes work delivering individual and group therapy, brief family sessions, crisis intervention, and case management at a residential addiction program. He later supervised clinical teams and coordinated admissions and discharges, which deepened his familiarity with the system of care around addiction and co-occurring disorders.

In private practice he leans on Cognitive Behavioral methods combined with client-centered care and mindfulness-informed tools. He also draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and existential ideas when those approaches fit a person's goals.

Outside of work he enjoys reading, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with family and his cat, Charlie. He works in Ohio and offers therapy in English.

Approaches that translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and choosing actions that match your values. It can help when worry, avoidance, or uncertainty get in the way of daily routines. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks patterns down into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful habits. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, sleep concerns, and problems tied to everyday habits. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist follows the person's lead to build insight and motivation.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Joseph will work collaboratively to see which methods fit a person's needs, goals, and preferences rather than promising a single path. That means trying strategies, reviewing what helps, and adjusting the plan together.

Confirm the session options before booking, since specific formats are not listed in the profile. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, school, or caregiving by removing travel time and allowing shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people use different tools such as homework exercises, mindfulness practices, and skills coaching between meetings to build new habits in day-to-day life.