Ruthann is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. Ruthann has maintained a private practice in Brownsville Pennsylvania for several years and is now in private practice in Ahwatukee Arizona. She is also a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) which affords her the opportunity to counsel clients in both states through the HIPAA complaint tele-therapy or online therapy option.
Ruthann is a graduate of Waynesburg University where she earned a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She gained additional counseling experience as an adjunct member of the Waynesburg University counseling program faculty. Her field experience was achieved in the partial hospitalization program and adult outpatient unit of Mercy Behavioral Health in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and she gained specific training in the field of addiction while employed at Gateway Rehabilitation Services.
The approach to counseling Ruthann utilizes is person-centered. She has a warm, collaborative, coaching style and views the counseling relationship as a partnership. She strives to help clients recognize their own individual strengths, as well as identify and take responsibility for any unhealthy patterns which may be holding them back from the life they truly desire. Cognitive-behavioral and brief solution focused therapies are frequently utilized to assist clients in achieving their individual therapy goals, but just as every individual or family is unique, the approach to counseling will be unique as well.
Ruthann adheres to an existential point of view and believes that in order for an individual to experience true happiness and fulfillment he must attribute meaning to his life and a sense of hope must be maintained. Meaning and hope come in a multitude of forms for people including service to others, career, family and relationships, or sharing one's talents and gifts; and for many individuals meaning and hope come through one's faith. Although she works with people from all backgrounds and religions, Ruthann's personal commitment to Christ and Biblical principles have served as a guidepost throughout her own life. For those individuals seeking counseling from a Christian perspective this service is available upon request.
Marriage and couples work is of particular interest to Ruthann. She has completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She has been married to her husband Lee for 37 years, and together they have raised four children. She understands the pressures of maintaining a healthy marriage and raising responsible children amidst the challenges confronting families today. Marriage and family counseling are also available with the primary focus on restoration of the family unit whenever possible.
In addition to her work as a relationship therapist, Ruthann has experience in the field of diet and nutrition. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Dietetics and has been able to integrate her previous work as a dietician into her present work as a therapist. Research suggests that issues such as low self-esteem, poor body image, the struggle to lose weight, binge eating, skipping meals and over-exercising respond favorably to cognitive behavioral therapy. During therapy sessions, the client and therapist work together to re-frame negative, self-defeating thought processes to achieve a healthier outlook on life.
Trained in EMDR and certified as a Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional, Ruthann is able to deliver trauma informed care to her clients. She has worked with adults and teens diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and have helped them break free from the traumatic memories of their past to begin living and enjoying their very best life.
Please reach out via email at [email protected].
Professional Memberships
National Board of Certified Counselors
American Counseling Association
Pennsylvania Counseling Association
American Association of Christian Counselors
Chi Sigma Iota-Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society, International
Chi Nu Sigma-Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society, Local Chapter