Rachel Ruiz (she/they)

The stage of adolescence is more challenging than ever, from social media to academic competition to changes in society. It makes sense to get help from a therapist when your tween or teen is in crisis. I work from the approach that teens and families are affected by typical developmental stages in life and when given the tools and knowledge to understand one another, can experience a deeper sense of connection and enjoyment. When someone within the family is hurting, everyone hurts.

I recognize that anxiety is multifaceted and that aspects of your environment, upbringing, culture, and relationships all pose strengths and challenges for your recovery. You do not have to leave any part of yourself at the door. I welcome all of your thoughts and feelings, even the ones you may be scared to express or haven’t been able to disclose to someone else before.

You know your friends and family are well intentioned and yet everyone keeps giving you advice that's... not really helping. Things like getting out of bed and returning a text or phone call are becoming more difficult. Motivation is hard to come by when you're feeling depressed and overwhelmed by what's going on inside. I work from the approach that mental wellbeing is as unique as the people who come to me for support. You have the capacity for healing already inside of you.

Our inner world is a rich place to explore, and the "voices" or the versions of yourself that come out with different emotions are important to pay attention to. When we understand that our brain thinks in multiplicity, we can accept all the parts of ourselves, even aspects that are difficult. When we develop strong relationships with our parts, we can feel a greater sense of confidence in navigating overwhelming emotions.

Attachment theory prioritizes relationships in your life as the main factor in determining your wellbeing. The level of closeness you felt growing up within your family as well as your support system now all impact your mental health. Attachment changes over our lifespan and even with difficult childhood experiences, we can learn to re-attach to ourselves and connect to others without fear of abandonment or rejection.

Often times we don't make change in our life because we feel ambiguous about it or are worried about all the potential outcomes. By focusing on levels of motivation and clarifying goals, we can plan our next steps with confidence and assurance that it's what we really want.

Our bodies hold emotions, thoughts, and stories for us that when we tune in can offer clarity and relief about our life’s journey. By touching base with sensations and noticing them with curiosity, we can learn to to speak our body’s language and provide it the care truly needed to take steps toward meaningful change.

Whether it’s the family you grew up in, the family you created, or the family you chose - belonging is a critical survival experience for all humans. Understanding the role we play in our families and how we experience acceptance in community greatly enhances our wellbeing. This isn’t your pop psychology “have boundaries” type of approach. I take into account how our interrelationships define personality, preference, and perspective.