James "Jim" Riter

My journey into mental health care began with a pivotal moment early in my life—a summer working as a music teacher at camp. One of my young campers climbed onto a roof, threatening to jump, and I was there to talk him down. That moment changed everything for me. I realized that helping people through their struggles was more important to me than teaching music. From that day forward, I committed to understanding how to help people cope with life’s challenges and create lasting change.

Over the past 30 years, I’ve worked with individuals living with chronic mental health conditions, trauma, substance use disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, psychosis, borderline personality disorder, depressive disorders, and behavioral challenges. My experience includes inpatient and outpatient settings, developing programs for co-occurring disorders, and leading trauma response initiatives. I’ve also trained extensively in therapeutic approaches like motivational interviewing, acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), bringing a diverse set of tools to our work together.

I understand the weight of what you’re going through because I’ve spent decades witnessing how mental health struggles impact not just individuals but their families and communities. My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and the belief that recovery is always possible. Together, we’ll explore strategies that help you build resilience, manage symptoms, and take steps toward your goals. Using skill-building and experiential techniques, I’ll help you find clarity and make meaningful changes.

At the heart of my work is a simple but profound belief: people can and do build lives worth living, even in the face of deep challenges. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, substance use, or overwhelming emotions, I’m here to provide the support and tools to help you move forward.