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Nicolas Ruiz

LCSW, 1 years of experience

New to Grow

Virtual
Next available on

About me

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I bring a decade of diverse experience across adolescent mental health, juvenile justice, homelessness care, and therapeutic case management. My clinical approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and attachment-based modalities. I also integrate a range of complementary techniques tailored to each client’s unique needs, drawing from my broad training and hands-on experience in complex care environments. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with youth navigating trauma, systemic barriers, and emotional challenges, helping them build resilience and reclaim agency. My work in juvenile justice and homelessness care has deepened my commitment to equity, advocacy, and trauma-informed support. Whether in one-on-one therapy or multidisciplinary case coordination, I strive to create safe, collaborative spaces where healing and growth are possible. I believe that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process—it’s a dynamic partnership. My style is compassionate, grounded, and adaptive, empowering clients to explore their inner world while developing practical tools for everyday life. In this dynamic partnership, I encourage my clients to communicate openly with me regarding my own approach so that I may better adjust my style to meet their needs. Outside of my professional life, I recharge through travel, fitness, journaling, and video games. These personal passions fuel my creativity and balance, reminding me of the importance of play, reflection, and exploration—values I often bring into the therapeutic space.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In your first session with me, you can expect a warm, nonjudgmental space where we begin building a foundation of trust and collaboration. I’ll start by getting to know you—your background, current challenges, goals, and what brought you to therapy. We’ll explore not just the symptoms or stressors you’re facing, but also the context around them: relationships, identity, environment, and emotional patterns. I use a blend of structured and exploratory approaches, so while I may ask guided questions rooted in CBT, motivational interviewing, or attachment theory, I also leave room for organic conversation. If you're open to it, we might incorporate mindfulness exercises or reflective journaling prompts to help you connect with your inner experience. For those interested in deeper emotional work, I may introduce shadow work concepts to gently uncover unconscious beliefs or behaviors that influence your life. If you're navigating substance use, relationship issues, or emotional overwhelm, we’ll approach those topics with compassion and clarity—no pressure, just honest dialogue. I’ll meet you where you are, whether you’re ready to dive in or just testing the waters. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer sense of how I work, what therapy with me might look like, and whether it feels like a good fit. We’ll also discuss next steps, including frequency of sessions and any tools or practices you might want to try between meetings.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

A few of my greatest strengths and assets that I bring to therapy are my ability to connect with anyone, anywhere, under any circumstance. Connection is the backbone of human relationships and I feel that it is integral to therapy practice. Additionally, my client-centered, strengths-based approach empowers my clients to live authentically. I build strong, trusting relationships with clients—especially those who’ve experienced instability, rejection, or systemic barriers. I value authenticity and connection, and I strive to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and empowered. I build strong, trusting relationships with clients—especially those who’ve experienced instability, rejection, or systemic barriers. I value authenticity and connection, and I strive to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and empowered. I also enjoy integrating creative tools like journaling, mindfulness practices, and shadow work to support deeper emotional insight and healing. I’m grounded, reflective, and always learning—open to new ideas and approaches that help my clients grow.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal client is an adolescent or young adult navigating emotional challenges, identity exploration, or life transitions. They may be experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or relational difficulties, and are seeking a safe, collaborative space to process and grow. Many of my clients have been impacted by systemic barriers, including involvement in juvenile justice, homelessness, or foster care, and are looking for support that is both compassionate and empowering. They are open to self-reflection and curious about how their thoughts, behaviors, and relationships intersect. They appreciate a therapist who blends structure with flexibility—someone who can offer evidence-based tools like CBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and attachment-based approaches, while also adapting to their unique needs and personality. I also work closely with men and young adults who are struggling with substance use, addiction, and relationship issues. These clients may feel stuck in cycles of avoidance, shame, or disconnection, and are looking for a space where they can be seen without judgment. Together, we explore the underlying emotional patterns that drive these behaviors, build healthier coping strategies, and strengthen their ability to form meaningful connections. My approach is grounded in empathy and accountability, helping clients move toward recovery and relational healing at their own pace. For clients interested in deeper self-exploration, I incorporate mindfulness practices, guided journaling, and shadow work to help uncover unconscious patterns and promote emotional integration. These tools support clients in cultivating self-awareness, processing difficult emotions, and reconnecting with their authentic selves. Whether through reflection, movement, or creative expression, I encourage clients to engage with their inner world in ways that feel empowering and transformative. My ideal client values authenticity and connection. They may find comfort in knowing that I bring creativity and real-world perspective into our sessions, and they respond well to a therapeutic style that is grounded, adaptive, and nonjudgmental. Whether they’re journaling through their emotions, exploring their goals, or just trying to make sense of their world, I’m here to walk alongside them. If any of this sounds like something you are looking for in therapy, please don't hesitate to reach out. I would love to meet with you.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

Child or AdolescentCrisis InterventionDepressionHealth/Medical Issues

I identify as

Man

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

My treatment methods

Motivational Interviewing

I use motivational interviewing (MI) to help you explore what really matters to you—without pressure, judgment, or a bunch of advice you didn’t ask for. It’s a collaborative style of therapy that’s all about helping you tap into your own motivation and make changes that feel authentic and doable. In sessions, I’ll ask thoughtful questions, reflect back what I hear, and help you sort through any ambivalence or stuck points. Whether you're thinking about making a shift in your relationships, habits, or lifestyle, MI gives us space to explore your values, goals, and what’s getting in the way. You’re the expert on your life—I’m just here to help you hear yourself more clearly and move forward with confidence. It’s gentle, empowering, and surprisingly effective when you’re ready for change but not sure where to start.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a foundational tool to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT offers a structured yet flexible approach that empowers clients to identify unhelpful thought patterns, challenge limiting beliefs, and develop healthier ways of coping with life’s challenges. Together, we explore how your inner dialogue shapes your emotional responses and actions. I guide clients through techniques like thought tracking, cognitive reframing, and behavioral activation to support meaningful change. Whether you're working through anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues, CBT provides practical strategies that can be applied both in and outside of sessions. I often integrate CBT with mindfulness, journaling, and other modalities to create a personalized, holistic experience. My goal is to help you build insight, strengthen emotional resilience, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Attachment-based

Attachment-based therapy is all about understanding how your early relationships shaped the way you connect with others—and with yourself—today. I use this approach to help you explore patterns in how you trust, love, communicate, and respond to emotional closeness or conflict. In our work together, we’ll look at the roots of your relational style, especially if you’ve felt disconnected, anxious, or guarded in relationships. Whether you're dealing with family dynamics, romantic struggles, or just trying to understand why certain patterns keep showing up, attachment work helps us make sense of it all. I bring a warm, grounded presence to sessions so you can experience what a secure, supportive relationship feels like. From there, we build insight, heal old wounds, and strengthen your ability to form healthy, meaningful connections—with others and with yourself.

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.