Do you feel persistently overwhelmed, as if you're fighting an uphill battle with your mental health? Is it becoming increasingly difficult to navigate life's ups and downs with serenity? Are you striving for a harmonious balance between personal life, career, and self-care? Have you ever felt like "something's wrong" but can't quite ever identify what it is, or where that feeling is coming from?
I am dedicated to helping people from all walks of life better cope with stress and anxiety without compromising their drive for success. I believe in the importance of holistic wellness and integrate various therapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, and hypnosis to help you find a path to inner peace while staying productive and motivated. Whether you're grappling with stress, anxiety, grief, or unprocessed trauma, remember it's brave to reach out for help.
Our collaboration will offer a safe and non-judgmental space for you to explore your feelings, identify your triggers, and cultivate effective coping mechanisms. Together, we will navigate the ebb and flow of your life, aiming for personal growth, tranquility, and a balanced lifestyle.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In your first session with me, you can expect a welcoming and safe space where we start to get to know each other. I'll ask you about your background, your current challenges, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. It's a chance for you to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. I'll also explain how I work, the types of therapy I use, and answer any questions you might have. This session is all about building trust and understanding, setting the foundation for our future work together. Remember, there's no pressure to cover everything in one session; it's just the beginning of our journey.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
When I talk to people about their past therapy experiences, I often hear that they didn't feel heard or listened to. It's a common issue in therapy, where therapists might be too focused on taking notes and not fully present with their clients. Being truly heard and seen is important, and I believe it's something that sometimes gets overlooked in mental health care. As your therapist, I promise to prioritize listening to you and ensuring you feel heard during our sessions.
I also believe in regularly checking in with you for feedback after our sessions. This helps me understand if our current approach is effective or if we need to adjust our strategy. Research shows that therapy works best when clients have a say in how it goes. By getting your input, we can work together to find the best way to meet your needs.
About Andres Ruiz
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
EMDR
I have extensive experience with EMDR, a powerful psychotherapy technique proven to be effective for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. My journey with EMDR began 5 years ago, and since then, I've been rigorously trained and have integrated this method into my practice to help clients process and heal from various forms of psychological distress.
My approach with EMDR is client-centered and trauma-informed. I ensure a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their memories at a pace that feels comfortable for them. I believe in the adaptive information processing model that EMDR is based on, which suggests that with the right direction and care, the mind can heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.
I've successfully incorporated EMDR into treatment plans for individuals dealing with a range of issues, from acute stress and anxiety to deep-seated trauma stemming from a long history of childhood abuse and neglect, domestic violence during childhood or in a relationship as an adult, as well as with military veterans. The effectiveness of EMDR in my practice has been evident through the profound and positive changes seen in my clients, often transforming painful emotional wounds into empowering growth and resilience.
EMDR is not just a treatment method for me; it's a tool that empowers individuals to find peace, stability, and a renewed sense of control over their lives. My commitment is to continue utilizing EMDR to facilitate healing and to stay up to date with the latest developments and best practices in this field to provide the highest quality care to my clients.
Hypnotherapy
I have been practicing hypnotherapy for 3 years, using it as a key tool to help clients access their unconscious mind for deep-seated change. My approach is personalized, focusing on issues like anxiety, stress, sleep difficulties, behavioral changes, addictions, phobias, and emotional well-being.
During sessions, I guide clients into a relaxed state, enabling them to explore and re-frame underlying issues. This process fosters profound insights and transformative changes, often beyond the reach of traditional therapy. I am committed to continuously updating my knowledge in hypnotherapy, ensuring my clients receive effective, empathetic care that empowers them towards lasting growth and self-improvement
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
In my therapy practice, I employ Internal Family Systems (IFS), a powerful and respectful approach to understanding complex internal dynamics and promoting healing. With IFS, I guide clients to recognize and understand their various 'parts' or sub-personalities that contribute to their emotional and psychological makeup.
Using the IFS model, I help clients explore these parts, understand their roles and intentions, and learn how they interact within their internal system. This approach is particularly effective for addressing a range of issues, from trauma and anxiety to relationship challenges and self-esteem.
My work with IFS is collaborative and client-centered, creating a safe space for self-discovery and healing. The aim is to achieve balance and harmony among the parts, leading to greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and emotional well-being.
Existential
In my practice, I integrate existential therapy, a philosophical approach that emphasizes exploring the human condition and addressing life's inherent challenges. I focus on helping clients confront issues like the search for meaning, dealing with anxiety about mortality, and embracing freedom and responsibility.
Existential therapy is about guiding clients to understand their existence and the choices they make, fostering a deeper self-awareness and authenticity. I encourage clients to explore their values, beliefs, and experiences to find personal meaning and purpose.
This approach is particularly effective for individuals facing existential crises, life transitions, or feelings of disconnection. My aim is to provide a supportive and thought-provoking space where clients can freely examine their lives, choices, and future possibilities, leading to a more fulfilled and self-directed life.
Psychodynamic
I utilize psychodynamic therapy, an insightful approach that delves into understanding unconscious processes and how they shape our current behavior and emotions. This modality focuses on exploring unresolved issues and feelings that stem from past experiences, often from early childhood, to bring about self-awareness and change.
In psychodynamic therapy, I work collaboratively with clients to uncover patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and relationships. We explore the influence of the past on present behavior, aiming to uncover hidden meanings and motivations. This method is particularly beneficial for those struggling with deep-seated emotional issues, complex interpersonal relationships, and chronic psychological distress.
Through this approach, I create a therapeutic environment that encourages introspection and reflection, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and one's relationships. My goal is to help clients achieve insight into their internal world, leading to greater emotional freedom and improved mental health.
