Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Buffalo, NY

Life presents pain and uncertainty. To learn and live by a perspective that takes you beyond ego, is to find meaning in your suffering as you sit with discomfort and take a closer look at your experience with vulnerability. Finding balance within yourself is not gained through the absence of worry and adversity-it’s discovered through a process of understanding and practicing self- acceptance and self-compassion while in the midst of life struggles. Let's explore your relationship with the negative aspects of human experience. As you look inward with honesty and without harsh judgement you can find yourself closer to your true self.

Hi I'm Rita! I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I practice Children's Therapy, Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, and Family Therapy. My practice is newly opened and I am excited to get to do what I love every day. My goal is to help clients to find balance in life and in love. I desire to impart key strategies for coping no matter what concerns are present.

I have a wide variety of experiences that I can draw upon to help you. I really enjoy helping clients become the best version of themselves! I can work with any and all issues that you might be experiencing.

Born and raised in WNY, attended SUNY Buffalo, obtaining my bachelor's in psychology and master's in Social Work there.

I enjoy working with people of all ages who are striving to move through and process the difficult life experiences, changes and transitions we all experience such as grief & loss, divorce, trauma, addictions of all kinds, parenting and behavioral problems in children and adolescents.

Down to earth and very open minded. I believe in complete transparency and accountability.

Hello,

My name is Sean Thomas. I have been a mental health psychiatric nurse practitioner for the past 13 years. I look forward to treating individual clients with respect and a sense of partnership. My thirteen plus years of experience as a psychiatric nurse practitioner includes: emergency room, outpatient, inpatient, addiction, and assertive community treatment team settings.

Nice to meet you!

As a Mental Health Counselor I am deeply passionate about helping individuals heal, grow, and reach their full potential. My work is fueled by my strong belief that everyone has the capacity to create change in their lives. My specialties are:

· Anxiety

· Depression

· Addiction & recovery

· Stress Management

· Trauma and PTSD

· Faith based (Christian) counseling

I started my work with infants and young children, guided by a simple belief: when we understand the meaning behind behavior, everything in a family can begin to shift. I use play as a primary way to connect with children and understand their inner world. Through play, children express thoughts and feelings they may not yet have words for. By joining them in this space, I’m able to better understand their experiences and help them feel seen, supported, and safe.

My path to becoming a therapist began in children’s media, where I spent fifteen years project managing educational content. That experience shaped how I see children today—curious, expressive, and constantly communicating, even without words.

I went on to earn my Master’s degree from New York University, training at the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Center, where I deepened my understanding of how music and play can help children feel seen, regulated, and understood.

My clinical work has included early intervention, a specialized school for autistic children and young adults, and an elementary school supporting students with hearing loss and communication differences. Across these settings, I saw how powerful it is when a child is truly met where they are.

In 2023, I founded Sound Mind to create a more individualized, relationship-based practice—one where I can connect deeply and tailor my work to each child and family.