Ruth MacBain , LCPC, LCMHC

Ruth MacBain is a licensed mental health professional with 11 years of clinical experience working with people facing addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, and life changes. She is licensed in Community Mental Health in both Maine and New Hampshire and holds a master's level certificate in Substance Use Disorders. Ruth's clinical background includes work in residential treatment settings and in Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders, where she developed skills in supporting people with overlapping mental health and substance use needs.

In her practice Ruth draws on Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and she uses approaches such as Seeking Safety and CBT integration when teaching groups focused on substance use recovery. She has received training and has experience supporting LGBTQ clients, people living with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and individuals on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disabilities. Ruth emphasizes a collaborative, skills-focused approach that meets each person where they are.

Outside of clinical work she volunteers with adaptive sports programs and supports people with autism and disability-related challenges. She enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and swimming. Ruth is not currently accepting new clients.

Therapeutic approaches and online care with Ruth

Ruth often integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a practical approach that helps people identify and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and problematic coping. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which focuses on building skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness - tools that can be especially useful for managing intense emotions and improving relationships. Motivational Interviewing is another key method she employs - a collaborative, goal-oriented style that helps people clarify motivation for change and strengthen commitment to treatment.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Ruth works collaboratively with each person to select and adapt methods based on their goals, preferences, and day-to-day needs, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Ruth can include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options make it easier to attend sessions from home, combine brief check-ins with longer appointments, and maintain continuity of care when life circumstances change.