Works with
- Anger
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Self esteem
How Ralph works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- Colorado
- Years in practice
- 45
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Ralph
Dr. Ralph Datema is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in Colorado with 45 years of clinical work. He focuses on helping people manage relationship strain, anger, grief, anxiety, and life transitions.
His manner is straightforward and reflective, aiming to help people notice patterns and choose different responses. He uses a blend of approaches rather than a single method. Sessions often center on understanding how relationships and past experiences shape current feelings and behavior.
Background and approach
He encourages practical changes that clients can try between meetings, like small communication experiments or mindfulness practices. Dr. Datema has long experience working with couples and individuals around intimacy, parenting stress, addictions, mood concerns, and career pressures.
He also offers support for people facing multicultural issues, prejudice, personality concerns, and compassion fatigue. That background helps when anger shows up alongside grief, ADHD, or long-term stress. In session he listens with curiosity and asks clear questions to help a person see repeating patterns.
Conversations balance practical problem solving with attention to deeper emotional roots. He draws from client-centered, psychodynamic, and mindfulness ideas to tailor the work to each person’s needs. People who want a calm, experienced guide often find his pace steady and direct.
He focuses on making change manageable and realistic. If someone is ready to try new ways of relating or managing strong feelings, he helps shape a plan they can practice between sessions.
What Ralph works with
Everything Ralph lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Ralph's practice.
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Self esteem
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Multicultural concerns
- Personality disorders
- Prejudice and discrimination
Approaches Ralph lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Existential Therapy
- Gottman Method
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Dr. Datema often draws on client-centered therapy and mindfulness therapy to guide online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening closely and helping people find their own solutions and clearer self-understanding; it is useful for relationship issues and self-esteem concerns. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and manage strong emotions like anger and anxiety.He also integrates psychodynamic ideas when helpful, looking at recurring patterns and how past experiences shape present behavior. That approach can help when anger, grief, or relationship conflict repeats across different situations. Together these approaches give both immediate tools and a deeper view of what keeps problems going.
Choosing the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will review a person’s goals, preferences, and life situation to decide what to try first. Sessions can shift as needs change, combining practical exercises, communication practice, and reflective conversation.
Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs. Video calls are useful for in-depth conversations and practicing communication skills. Phone sessions can be easier when less bandwidth is available or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text sessions suit brief updates, written reflection, or flexible scheduling across the week.
Questions people ask about Ralph
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with relationship issues, anger, grief, anxiety, depression, addictions, stress, parenting challenges, intimacy concerns, and career changes. He also addresses multicultural concerns, prejudice, and personality issues.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His style is supportive and reflective, blending client-centered listening with psychodynamic and mindfulness ideas. He combines understanding patterns with practical steps to try between sessions.
How much experience does he have?
He has 45 years of experience working as a marriage and family therapist and mental health clinician. That background includes work with relationship and life transition concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
He is a licensed marriage and family therapist, LMFT, licensed in Colorado. His practice is based in Colorado.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats allow for flexible ways to check in and work on goals.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.