IFSTherapists

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

LMFT

Dr. Ralph Datema, LMFT

  • Experience45 years
  • LocationColorado
  • Focus areasRelationship, Family, and Grief
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
Continue with Ralph

Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

About Ralph

Dr. Ralph Datema brings decades of clinical practice to his work, centering therapy on the relationships people have with themselves and others.

Background and approach

As an LMFT licensed in Colorado, he draws on 45 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship and parenting challenges, grief, trauma, and intimacy-related concerns. His background also includes pastoral psychotherapy and work with aging adults and senior couples.

His style is supportive and reflective, encouraging clients to explore how life history and cultural influences shape current patterns. He blends systemic thinking with elements of client-centered, existential, psychodynamic, and cognitive approaches to create conversations tailored to each person or family.

Dr. Datema attends to practical stresses like sleep and eating problems as well as broader concerns such as career, identity, and coping with change.

More than a set of techniques, his practice emphasizes empowerment and thoughtful collaboration so clients can clarify values, manage difficult feelings, and build healthier connections. He invites those ready to pursue change to begin a respectful, individualized process toward greater well-being.

Integrating relational approaches with online care

Dr. Datema often uses Internal Family Systems and Client-Centered therapy to guide online work. Internal Family Systems explores the different parts of a person and how they interact, helping people untangle inner conflicts and heal from trauma or chronic anxiety. Client-Centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and the client’s own pace and goals, which supports growth in areas like self-esteem, grief, and relationship concerns.

Choosing the right approach is part of the collaborative process. He will work with each person to identify which methods best match their goals, life circumstances, and comfort level, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. This partnership helps tailor sessions to address issues such as intimacy, parenting challenges, or coping with major life changes.

Online appointments are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and communication preferences. These options make it possible to continue consistent therapeutic work from home or while traveling, supporting ongoing reflection and skill-building without the need for in-person visits.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does he address?
He works with relationship and family concerns as well as mood and anxiety issues, grief, trauma, addictions, intimacy-related problems, and life transitions.
What is his therapeutic approach and style?
His work is supportive and invitational, encouraging personal reflection while combining systemic, client-centered, existential, psychodynamic, and solution-focused ideas to fit each client.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 45 years of professional experience as a marriage and family therapist and pastoral psychotherapist working with a broad range of concerns.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LMFT licensed in Colorado with license number CO LMFT MFT.0000105 and practices from that state.
Can non-English speakers work with him?
Sessions are provided in English; he does not list other languages and is not accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteem

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTTrauma and abuseEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Multicultural concernsPersonality disordersPrejudice and discrimination

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyExistential TherapyGottman MethodMindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

45+ years

Licensed

Colorado

Languages

English