Ruth Saunders, Resident in Counseling
Ruth's pronouns are: She/Her
Ruth helps kids, teens, and adults find hope and healing while navigating life’s challenges.
Ruth has experience working with children, teens, and adults in a variety of settings, including schools, non-profits, and community mental health centers. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in School Counseling. She is a Resident in Counseling and is pursuing an additional certification in Play Therapy.
Ruth enjoys working with people navigating difficult situations, such as dealing with difficult or traumatic experiences in the past, grief, loss, and major adjustment to life's changes and challenges. She also supports people in finding hope and healing who are living with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and stress.
Ruth takes an approach of getting to know each client's background, with care to understand any experiences or traumas that have impacted their lives. She helps clients identify the opportunities to create change and healing in their lives, process past pain and trauma, and find ways to accept what we cannot change and control.
In her work with children and teens, Ruth pulls from Play Therapy and interactive modalities that are most engaging and effective with younger clients.
In her work with adults, Ruth adapts therapy to what is most helpful to each person. She uses a Person-Centered approach that focuses on active listening and getting to the root of what's going on in her client's particular situation. At certain times, Ruth might recognize that a more creative or expressive approach might be best suited for what's happening in her client's process. Depending on your comfort levels, she incorporates exercises such as journaling, art, or sand tray work to strengthen the therapeutic work in sessions.
Ruth firmly believes that everyone goes through challenges sometimes and can benefit from healing and growing in a compassionate, supportive environment.
When she's not in the office, she enjoys being outside enjoying the James River with her family and dog.
Ruth meets with clients in-person at our counseling practice in Richmond. She also provides online counseling for clients who are located across Virginia.
Read articles from our team on the Launchpad blog:
Continue Exploring Our Counselors
