Smitha Rau

About Smitha

Smitha Rau, Psy.D is a Psychologist who graduated from Midwestern University in 2009. As a seasoned clinician, Smitha has 15 years of experience in the field and is licensed in California. What makes you enjoy working with seniors?

Helping older adults tap into their own resilience and utilize coping skills in new ways is a privilege that I look forward to every day. Themes of loss and change can be abundant as we age, and being part of the journey to transform these experiences into opportunities for growth and adaptation is the most rewarding part of my job. Why do you think online therapy is effective for seniors?

Online therapy allows seniors to feel at ease in the comfort of their home, eliminating stressors of commuting and transportation, freeing them to connect with their therapist in deeper, more meaningful ways. Having flexibility to connect with a therapist online or on the phone provides a greater level of comfort and opportunity for connection that might otherwise be too burdensome. Can you share some details about your experience?

I have been working with seniors in an Adult Psychiatry clinic in California for the past 12 years. Carrying a full case load of ongoing therapy clients, leading groups for seniors to connect with one another while learning and practicing new coping skills has been the most enjoyable part of my work. Can you provide details on your approach to therapy?

Creating a supportive therapeutic environment while providing validation and encouragement for my clients to process their life stressors and apply coping strategies to manage the constant need for adjustment and change is my primary therapeutic approach. With a strong foundation of dialectical and cognitive behavior therapy, I introduce coping strategies as the opportunities and need present and support my clients in applying these strategies to improve their outlook on life.