Ruth Her

Welcome to my Profile! My name is Ruth Her and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I'm happy you made the choice to find what I hope may be a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings. Not knowing what to expect from therapy can sometimes make us feel some sense of anxiety. This feeling is normal and understandable. Especially now, it is very important to take care of our mind and body. There is so much happening around us and to us. It is so important to take time to look after our mental health and well-being. During our first therapy session, it is my intent to set your heart at ease and introduce myself to you. I will answer your questions, explain the pathway forward, and hear your hopes and desired outcomes. Each person's journey is unique to them and so I will honor your individuality. Through empathy, compassion, personalized guided treatment plans, and a listening ear, we will see you to a brighter day and stronger future.

My approach

My approach toward helping is by first listening and taking a holistic view of the client. Success is best accomplished by starting where the person is at emotionally and psychologically. Establishing a foundation from which the pillars of a strong treatment plan can be built is critical. I will not force a person to immediately talk about the deep rooted problem they might be facing. I focus on understanding the layers of challenges a patient struggles, recognizing that each layer may be deeply impacting the next. Through an unrushed process, I work through and analyze the patients view of the world and their adversities. I create a welcoming environment to facilitate difficult conversations, safe spaces to jointly explore options for pathways forward, and develop plans based upon the individual's assessed needs, resources, support network and established best practices in mental health and well being.

My focus

A unique part of my clinical practice is working with all age groups of people. I really enjoy working with children over 5 + years, Preteen, Teen, Adults, Retirees, and Elders 65+. I have discovered that working with all age groups is a unique experience that is fulfilling. If I had to choose the conditions I enjoy treating the most it would be High functioning Mood/Anxiety, Behavioral problems, Chronic pain, Family conflict, Life Transitions, School issues, Men/Women issues, Trauma, Stress, and Grief.

My communication style

When I first meet a client I like to spend some time on important disclosures about therapy, the pro/cons of therapy, intake paperwork and ensuring there is a clear understanding about what to expect, and most importantly, goal setting. Feedback from past/recent clients I've worked with shared, "I made them feel comfortable" in therapy, my honesty/transparency, goal focused, and making therapy sessions about them and not taking over therapy sessions about what I feel they need to work towards. Clients expressed they were happy to find a therapist that listened and understood their problems. Clients really enjoyed that I was professional and I only self disclosed when appropriate for session.

My journey to mental healthcare

Something I remember growing up is that I would always find myself in a helping role. I had no idea that I was doing therapeutic work! Family and friends expressed feeling comfortable talking to me about their problems and sharing ideas on how to deal with the personal dilemma/or understanding it. I originally had the dream of being a Peace Officer; however, for whatever reason that was not my calling. While working on my Bachelor's Degree I started to work with foster children who were placed in group homes. That is when I discovered what a Licensed Clinical Social Worker does. Since then I began to have a career field in my mind of helping people, which eventually came to fruition.

My goals for you

I try to focus on making the client feel as comfortable as possible in order to begin the process of sharing what brought them to therapy and what they hope to work on.

My first session with you

disclosures such as mandating reporting laws/confidentiality/ intake paperwork, identifying if I will be a good fit for the client, and goal setting.