Ruth Westfall , LMSW

Ruth Westfall is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with more than 30 years of experience supporting people affected by trauma, including victims of crime. She brings long-term clinical experience to work that often involves complex reactions to stress and traumatic events, helping clients understand how these experiences can touch many parts of life.

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, she worked in a public health center alongside a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, where she observed the extended impacts of collective stress. She notes that trauma and ongoing stress can influence physical health, mental health, education, employment, substance use, and personal relationships, and that these effects may persist for years.

Ruth emphasizes the importance of caring for emotional, spiritual, and physical needs and recognizes that recent increases in anxiety and depression have left many people struggling. She works with clients to learn practical skills for managing symptoms and to identify personal strengths that support recovery. Her approach is grounded in helping people heal in constructive, sustainable ways.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Client-Centered Therapy is a collaborative approach that centers the client's experience and priorities. It emphasizes empathy and active listening so clients can explore their feelings and strengths at their own pace, which is especially helpful for stress, grief, and relationship concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It provides practical tools for managing anxiety, depression, panic, and mood regulation by developing new coping strategies and problem-solving skills.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines acceptance and change strategies to teach distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. It can be beneficial for strong emotions, relationship conflict, and patterns that interfere with daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Ruth uses these methods collaboratively with clients and helps determine which strategies fit a person's goals, preferences, and life circumstances. Licensed professionals tailor techniques over time to match changing needs.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and maintain continuity of care from home or work. These options support consistent access to therapists and make it possible to practice skills between sessions.