Linda Rio is a Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in working with children and their families. Practicing at New Beginnings Counseling Center since 1987, Linda spends a great deal of time working with children, aged pre-school through adolescence. She also treats adults for couple counseling as well as a variety of individual concerns such as depression, anxiety and other relationship and workplace issues. She specializes in the treatment of those who have had physical, sexual, and other forms of trauma.

Linda uses an integrated systemic approach to therapy. This makes use of a variety of therapeutic modalities including cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, brief, and other methods depending upon the needs of the individual client, but within the perspective of the family system.

"It is important to see each person as unique and tailor their treatment to their own special needs. Developing a special, safe and caring environment is especially important. I try to act more as a coach rather than an expert; helping to guide each person, each family down whatever path they are on. Helping people have more rewarding relationships is an important goal of therapy."

Play therapy for children is done in a state-of-the-art therapeutic playroom, which employs the use of art, sandtray, puppets, therapeutic games, and other play materials. Parents and caretakers are seen as key components to their children's healing. Adults, teens, as well as children can benefit from EMDR for certain areas of difficulty and skill enhansement. Linda is certified in the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for a variety of symptoms and issues.

Linda received her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant University (formerly United States International University) in San Diego, California.

In addition to being in private practice for over 15 years, Linda teaches in the graduate school of Psychology at California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California. She teaches courses in couple, family, and child counseling. She also is certified as an Approved Supervisor through the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Linda is the author of several professional journal articles on the topics of child and adult trauma, and play therapy. Linda and her daughter Tara Rio are authors of the newly released book, The Anorexia Diaries: Triumph of a Mother and Daughter Over Teenage Eating Disorders. (2003).

Cover: The Anorexia Diaries:
 Triumph of a Mother and Daughter
Over Teenage Eating Disorders.

Linda is a member of several professional organizations including the Employee Assistance Programs Association (EAPA), Association for Play Therapy and EMDRIA, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association. She has also held leadership positions within the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), and is a past-president of the Ventura Chapter of CAMFT.

Linda was honored by the Ventura Chapter of CAMFT in 1995 as the "Outstanding Chapter Leader of the Year".