New to Grow
I'm Rudesta Edwards-Ugiomoh, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of A & E Behavioral Healthcare PLLC, providing telehealth therapy services across Ohio, Kansas, Washington, Virginia, and Illinois. With over ten years of clinical experience, I specialize in trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming care, holding certifications as an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist, ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), and Certified Neurodiversity Clinical Specialist. I'm passionate about creating a safe, culturally responsive space where clients—particularly those from BIPOC communities—can heal from trauma, manage anxiety and depression, and embrace their authentic selves. My approach integrates evidence-based modalities including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, tailored to meet each client where they are. Whether you're navigating life transitions, processing past wounds, or seeking support for ADHD or autism, I'm here to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and empowerment.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Your first session with me is all about connection and understanding—not pressure to dive into your deepest pain before you're ready. I want you to leave feeling heard, not overwhelmed. We'll start by getting to know each other. I'll ask about what's bringing you to therapy now, what you've tried before (if anything), and what you're hoping to get out of our work together. You're welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable; this is your space to set the pace. I'll also gather some background information about your history, current stressors, and symptoms to help me understand the full picture of what you're navigating.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What stands out most about my approach is that I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. I draw from multiple evidence-based modalities—EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and psychodynamic approaches—and tailor my methods to what you actually need, not what's most convenient for me. Some sessions might focus on processing a specific memory through EMDR; others might involve identifying stuck points, building coping strategies, or simply being witnessed in your pain. I follow your pace while gently guiding you forward.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I'm best positioned to serve adults who are ready to do the work of healing—those who sense that past experiences are still affecting their present and want more than surface-level coping strategies. If you've been carrying the weight of trauma, whether from childhood, relationships, or systemic harm, and you're looking for a therapist who will hold space for your story without rushing you, we may be a good fit. I particularly welcome clients who identify as neurodivergent or suspect they may be—whether you have an ADHD or autism diagnosis, are exploring the possibility, or simply feel like your brain has always worked differently than those around you. I offer affirming care that honors how you're wired rather than trying to fix you. I connect well with clients from BIPOC communities who want a therapist who understands the impact of racial trauma, code-switching, and navigating systems that weren't built with you in mind. You deserve a space where you don't have to explain or minimize your lived experience. If you're someone who values self-awareness, wants to understand the "why" behind your patterns, and is willing to engage actively in the therapeutic process even when it's uncomfortable I'd be honored to work with you. I'm not the right fit for those seeking a passive listener; I collaborate, I gently challenge, and I walk alongside you toward meaningful change.
EMDR
During the preparation phase, I collaboratively develop resourcing that honors culturally meaningful supports—whether that's ancestral strength, faith traditions, or community bonds. Negative cognitions are examined through a lens that distinguishes internalized oppression from individual belief, ensuring we target the appropriate root. This approach validates lived experience while empowering clients to reprocess trauma authentically.
Compassion Focused
I help clients develop a compassionate inner voice to counteract harsh self-criticism, shame, and threat-based emotional patterns rooted in early experiences. By guiding clients through imagery exercises, soothing rhythm breathing, and compassionate mind training, I help them activate their self-soothing system and build the internal safety necessary for trauma processing.
Psychoanalytic
I help clients by exploring how unconscious patterns, defense mechanisms, and early relational experiences shape their current thoughts, emotions, and relationship dynamics. Through techniques like free association, dream analysis, and examination of transference within the therapeutic relationship, I help clients gain insight into the hidden forces driving their symptoms and repetitive life patterns.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I help clients by providing unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding, and genuine presence creating a relational environment where they feel safe enough to explore their authentic selves without fear of judgment. Through reflective listening and trusting the client's inherent capacity for growth, I facilitate their movement toward self-acceptance and alignment between their real and ideal selves.