Services

Counseling, Consulting, and Training

Contact me for a FREE consultation to help determine if I am the right counselor, consultants or trainer for you. You deserve to work with someone you feel comfortable with and have confidence in. My specific approach varies with the personality, age, and background of each individual, couple and family. I provide a dynamic, strengths based, client centered approach and am fully engaged in your process.

For more information on my services and practice, see below.

To learn more, reach me at melissaruthcounselor@gmail.com

Working with Youth

Youth are our future. We are their bridge. Currently my work with children and youth is most often by supporting their caregivers and/or working within the family system. I do individual work with some youth. particularly around gender and identity. I am a kid at heart with a no-nonsense approach so they can get comfortable and get to work.

Advanced Skills

Advanced skills include: Child Parent Psychotherapy; Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Motivational Interviewing; Family Systems Therapy; Emotion Focused Therapy; sex therapy; restorative justice; attachment; play therapy; intensive in-home family therapy; animal assisted therapy; parent child relationships; teen relationships; women's issues; cultural considerations; LGBTQ, social justice.

Accessibility

Telehealth is creating more accessibility than ever before. I have long been an advocate of people havingt this option for their care, if they need or want it. I will always do my best to meet any accessibility needs. Please contact me so we can arrange accomodations.

Welcoming

This is a LGBTQA+ safe space and welcoming environment. All are welcome regardless of religious affiliation, and cultural, racial or ethnic background. I continually strive to deepen my understanding of my own culture and privilege, as well as the lived experiences of others who are oppressed and underserved in our society, so that I can be a partner in healing, justice and understanding. Any questions you have in this regard are also welcome.

Training

Contact me for organizational, local, state, regional and national workshops or multi-day trainings on topics relating to trauma, abuse, healthy relationships, children's exposure to violence, families experiencing violence, and resilience. Trainings provided for National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence; National STEP Conference; US Dept. Health and Human Services; ID Strengthening Families Training Institute; ID Compassionate Communities; ID Counseling Association; ID School Counselor Association; ID Prevention Conference; YWCA Regional Conference; Healthy Moms Happy Babies; Project Connect; and more.

Consulting

Contact me for consulting on the following topics: parent-child relationships; attachment; resilience; behavioral concerns; healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships; trauma and abuse; trauma informed services and organizations; trauma and health impact; cultural relevance and accessibility; self care; domestic violence; teen dating violence; children exposed to violence.

Fees for Services

Average session fee: $115-$150 session
Accept major credit cards and checks
Insurance accepted with numerous providers, in network; please check your benefits
Let me know if you have questions regarding coverage and fees for my services.

Couples

A healthy connection with our partner is important to our own wellbeing. Understanding attachment, and the work of Terry Real, John Gottman and Sue Johnson have been influential in my practice with couples from all walks of life. It isn't just about what we do, it's about how we are with one another. Couples find this can be a safe place to discuss more sensitive sexual and intimacy concerns, among the full range of challenges partners encounter.

Families

Some of the most powerful change comes when we work together. Family therapy should engage everyone from their strengths and work to foster the important connections that help build a lifetime of resilience. With the courage to go deeper, we can then go even further than we imagined.