- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practices
- Trauma-informed care
About Ruth
Ruth Westfall is an LMSW with 30 years of clinical experience in Michigan. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, and social anxiety and phobia. Ruth also addresses caregiver strain, relationship and family concerns, grief, anger, and mood disorders.
Ruth began her work supporting people affected by trauma and victims of crime. That background shaped how she looks at lasting effects of stress on health, work, school, and relationships. Over time she saw how these strains can follow people for years and affect many parts of life.
During the Covid-19 pandemic she worked alongside a psychiatric nurse practitioner at a public health center. That period brought a clearer view of how anxiety and depression increased and how people cope when supports are limited. She uses that experience to help people notice which parts of life are most affected and where to start.
In sessions she talks through practical skills and ways to manage symptoms step by step. She draws on approaches such as client-centered work, cognitive behavioral ideas, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. Those methods are used to build coping skills, manage panic and anxiety, and address trauma responses.
Ruth encourages people to recognize their strengths and to practice manageable steps toward change. She explains options and works collaboratively to decide what to try first. To start, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session.
How her approaches translate to online work
Ruth commonly uses client-centered methods and cognitive behavioral therapy in her work. Client-centered work focuses on listening and reflecting so the person can lead the topics and decide what matters most. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at how thoughts and behavior patterns affect mood and teaches practical skills to change reactions and reduce anxiety.She also uses dialectical behavior therapy skills for managing intense emotions and building coping tools. DBT-style techniques include grounding, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation exercises that can be practiced between sessions to reduce panic and overwhelm.
Finding the right mix of approaches is collaborative. She will talk with the person about goals, try approaches that fit their situation, and adjust methods over time based on what helps most. That process aims to match tools to daily life and to the specific problems someone brings.
The original biography does not specify which online session formats are offered, so please confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people practice skills in real-life settings and bring those experiences back to session for review.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, social anxiety and phobia, and related issues such as grief, anger, and caregiver stress.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses client-centered conversation alongside cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior approaches, plus mindfulness and motivational interviewing to build skills and practical strategies.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 30 years of experience working as a therapist, including long-term work with trauma and victims of crime.
What credential does she hold and where is she located?
She holds an LMSW and practices in Michigan.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and services. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.