Ruth Dimagmaliw
We are shaped by so much more than our individual experiences. Our families, relationships, culture, identities, communities, and the systems around us all influence how we learn to navigate the world. And sometimes, how we lose connection with ourselves along the way. My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity. I want to understand not only what brings you to therapy, but what you’ve been carrying, what has shaped you, and what matters most to you. Together, we can slow down, make sense of your experiences, explore the patterns that may no longer serve you, and create space for something different.
My strengths lie in holding space for complex truths, supporting long-term transformation, and guiding clients toward self-trust, liberation, and connection.
I work with youth, adults, and families navigating life transitions, relationships and family dynamics, emotional challenges, identity, and the impact of difficult or systemic experiences. I bring a culturally responsive and relational lens to my work, recognizing that healing rarely happens in isolation, especially in my lived experience as an eldest daughter of immigrants. Therapy with me is a space to be human. You don’t have to arrive with everything figured out, have the right words, or know exactly where to begin. My role is to meet you where you are, help you better understand yourself and your relationships, and support you in moving toward a life that feels more connected, intentional, and your own.
First session
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.
Strengths
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.
Ideal clients
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.
Treatment methods
Trauma Informed Care
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.
Somatic
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.
Narrative
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.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
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.
Structural Family Therapy
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.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Serves
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 119569