Rita Hansen, Licensed Professional Counselor

Experience

I have over a decade of experience assisting others overcome their challenges and empowering individuals to achieve their goals. My experience includes providing mental health and chemical dependency counseling services in outpatient and residential/hospital settings. I am an EMDR trained clinician.

Licensure & Certification

• Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health (LPC-MH)
• Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC)
• National Certified Counselor (NCC)
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)
• Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC)
• Board Certified – TeleMental Health (BC-TMH)

Education

University of Minnesota

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
• Alcohol and Drug Counseling and Education Program Certificate

University of South Dakota

• Master’s Degree in Community Agency Counseling

My Path to Counseling

I was drawn to counseling because I believe that most of the struggles people carry — anxiety, addiction, depression, the aftermath of trauma — are not signs of weakness. They are signs of being human in circumstances that were often genuinely difficult. My work is grounded in the conviction that people are more capable of change than they typically give themselves credit for, and that a good therapeutic relationship can make that change possible in ways that feel lasting rather than temporary.

I began my training at the University of Minnesota, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and an Alcohol and Drug Counseling and Education Program Certificate. I went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Community Agency Counseling at the University of South Dakota. Since then, I have provided mental health and chemical dependency counseling in outpatient and residential settings across South Dakota, accumulating over a decade of direct clinical experience.

How I Work

I do not use a one-size-fits-all approach. Each person who walks through my door — or joins me via telehealth — brings a different history, a different set of strengths, and a different vision of what they want their life to look like. My job is to listen carefully enough to understand all three, and then to bring the most appropriate tools to the work.

For most clients, I draw on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify and shift the thought patterns and behaviors that keep them stuck. I use motivational interviewing when clients are ambivalent about change — which is normal, and which I take seriously rather than pushing past. For clients carrying the weight of trauma or PTSD, I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), one of the most well-researched trauma treatments available.

What to Expect

The first session is primarily a conversation. I want to understand what is bringing you in, what you have already tried, and what you are hoping will be different. There is no pressure to share more than feels comfortable early on. Therapy works best when you feel safe enough to be honest, and building that takes whatever time it takes.

I see clients at my office at 3508 S Minnesota Avenue, Suite 100, in Sioux Falls, with appointments available Monday through Saturday, including evenings. Telehealth appointments are available for South Dakota residents who prefer to meet remotely. I am in-network with most major insurance plans including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare, Sanford, United, and Wellmark, and I also accept EAP referrals.

If you are ready to start, or if you are just trying to figure out whether therapy is the right step, call 605-610-9228 or reach out at rita@siouxfallswellness.com. I am happy to answer questions before you commit to anything.