Licensed to practice in California. Specializes in Anxiety, Family Conflict, Trauma and PTSD and 6 more.
(she/her)
Clients say this provider is
Hi, I’m Ruthie, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder of Therapy with Ruthie D. I believe you are more than your symptoms, your diagnosis, your circumstances, or the roles you’ve been asked to carry. My work is rooted in understanding the whole person: your relationships, family, culture, identity, experiences, and the systems that have shaped how you move through the world. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity. Rather than simply asking, “What’s wrong?” I want to understand what you’ve been through, what you’ve been carrying, and what you need to feel more connected to yourself and the people around you. I work with youth, adults, and families navigating life transitions, relationship and family dynamics, emotional challenges, and the impact of systems and experiences that can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck. As a second-generation Filipina-American and longtime mental health professional, I also understand that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. We are shaped by our families, communities, cultures, and the world around us. Sometimes healing means learning new ways of relating. Sometimes it means breaking patterns that were passed down to us. And sometimes it means reconnecting with parts of ourselves we had to set aside to survive. Therapy with me is a space to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and build a deeper relationship with yourself and others—with compassion, honesty, and without judgment. You don’t have to figure it all out before you walk through the door. We can start from wherever you are.
Your first session is all about connection. We’ll begin by exploring your story, current challenges, and therapy goals. I’ll explain how I work and answer any questions you have, ensuring you feel safe and informed. We'll also review logistics like confidentiality and treatment options. Most importantly, you’ll leave feeling heard, supported, and empowered to take that first step toward healing, whether you're processing trauma, navigating identity, or rebuilding family connections.
I bring a deep commitment to trauma-informed, culturally aware care that honors both individual and systemic healing. Clients often tell me they feel deeply seen and supported in ways they haven't experienced before. I draw from a range of modalities, including somatic, narrative, ACT, and family systems therapy, to create personalized, empowering care. My strengths lie in holding space for complex truths, supporting long-term transformation, and guiding clients toward self-trust, liberation, and connection.
I work best with individuals and families navigating intergenerational trauma, systemic oppression, and complex relational dynamics. Many of my clients identify as BIPOC, adult children of immigrants, or community leaders who are seeking deeper healing, not just for themselves, but for future generations. If you're seeking to break cycles, heal family patterns, or find strength in your cultural identity, you're in the right place. I’m here to help you reconnect with your inner wisdom, develop healthy boundaries, and move through life transitions with more self-compassion, clarity, and agency.
I approach therapy with a trauma-informed lens, recognizing that trauma affects individuals, families, and entire communities. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and empowered, where your story is honored in the context of your lived experiences. This means acknowledging not only personal trauma but also systemic and historical factors that shape who you are. I center collaboration, choice, and cultural responsiveness, always working to foster resilience, self-determination, and collective care.
Because trauma often lives in the body, I integrate somatic approaches to help you reconnect with your physical self as part of your healing. Through gentle breathwork, grounding exercises, and movement practices, I support you in noticing bodily responses, calming your nervous system, and reclaiming a sense of safety and presence. My somatic work is always paced with care, so you feel empowered, not overwhelmed, as we work toward embodied healing and sustainable well-being.
We all carry stories that shape how we see ourselves and I use narrative therapy to help you rewrite the ones that no longer serve you. Whether these stories come from trauma, cultural messaging, or family history, I support you in separating from problem-saturated narratives and reclaiming your strengths. Together, we’ll re-author your experiences in ways that honor your truth and open up space for resilience, agency, and transformation.
I use ACT to help you build emotional flexibility and take meaningful steps aligned with your values. Instead of avoiding discomfort, we’ll work on accepting your internal experiences with compassion and learning to respond intentionally. With tools like mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and values-based goal setting, I’ll support you in creating a life guided by what truly matters - one rooted in self-trust and authenticity.
Our family systems shape so much of how we relate: to ourselves and to others. Through Structural Family Therapy, I help you examine patterns, boundaries, and roles within your family that may be causing stress or disconnection. Together, we’ll work toward healthier dynamics, clearer communication, and stronger support systems, whether you're working individually or as a family unit.
1 rating with written reviews
February 11, 2025
This session basically concerned logistics and some assessment of past therapy experience and life circumstances. I felt heard and understood and look forward to the next session