Rita Skiba-Mathews, MSW, LCSW
Areas of Expertise: trauma/PTSD, family attachment and relationship issues, gender and sexuality exploration, LGBTQIA+ concerns, emotion dysregulation, Borderline Personality Disorder, non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety
Treatments Provided: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Sandtray, Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT), and somatic interventions as appropriate
Certifications: EMDR Trained and ABFT trained
Education: MSW with a focus on youth and adolescent clinical practice (Saint Louis University, 2017); BA Interdisciplinary Studies (Miami University, 2012)
Accepted Insurance Plans: In-Network with Cigna/Evernorth, UHC/Optum, and Anthem BCBS. Out-of-Network with all other insurance panels (superbill can be provided).
Private pay fee: $135 per individual session (sliding scale sometimes offered)
Rita Skiba-Mathews, LCSW (she/her) grounds her therapeutic work in an understanding of the ways past experiences impact everyday functioning. Client's can expect their sessions with Rita to be rooted in the connection of past and present while learning tangible skills to more successfully navigate their desired future with the hopes of building a greater sense of safety (with self and others). Rita provides a comfortable and non-judgemental environment where clients can safely show up as their authentic selves. Sessions may incorporate mindfulness, emotion exploration, taking a closer look at memories, and/or practicing future situations. Rita has worked with a variety of clients with varying backgrounds and has spent the past several years focusing her work on supporting youth, adolescents and young adults with complex trauma histories (specifically immigrant and refugee populations), as well as trans* and other gender expansive folx and their caregivers. Her use of sensory materials, art tools, body movement, play, compassion, and direct yet empathetic support make her work accessible to a wide range of client needs.
Rita was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to St. Louis in 2012 after completing her undergraduate program at Miami University. Her professional work has focused on working with youth and families as well as young adults (whether that be her work with first generation college students, students healing from sexual trauma, multilingual youth newly arrived to the United States, and/or trans and non-binary youth who have experienced rejection from their caregivers or support system). She now provides evidence-based individual therapy with Team Upaya to youth (ages 5+), caregivers, and young adults. Rita is a member of the Upaya DBT Consultation Team and has specialized training in EMDR and ABFT. She uses skills from each of these approaches to best serve clients and families struggling with connection, experiencing emotional distress, having difficulties in their relationships, navigating stressful life experiences, and/or hoping to strengthen areas of life that aren't going well.
Rita is a proud member of the queer community and values providing culturally responsive and identity affirming therapy. She enjoys walking in the park with her spouse and little one, coffee, taking care of her house plants, and shamelessly watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette. Please reach out if you are interested in doing therapy with Rita by contacting us below or calling 314-252-0675.