Tony Ruiz, LMSW

Specialties: anxiety, self esteem, trauma, mindfulness, relationship issues, sex & sexuality, LGBTQ+, Spanish speakers

Rates: $205 · individual session | $255 · couples session

“Authenticity helps us heal. It’s why I work candidly and collaboratively, and always at a pace that honors where you’re starting from. Some people come feeling stuck in loops of self-doubt and disconnection, others arrive holding something heavy that they’re ready at long last to set down—if only you knew how and who to trust it with.

Whether you're burdened by painful memories or feeling lost in the messier parts of your story, together we can create a space where the unspoken can emerge, safely and free of judgment or rejection. I’ll stay with you as you discover new dimensions of self-knowledge and expression, so life can feel less like something to survive and more like something you can meet with clarity, connection, and joy.

I speak English and Spanish natively and work in both languages.”

Q & A

How do you describe your counseling style?

A background in research and personal experience navigating my identity have taught me to meet everyone with a beginner’s mind, centering each person’s unique experiences over any preconceptions. I draw from psychodynamic, relational, and body-mind approaches to create an experience tailored to your specific needs. Because I've experienced the healing power of authenticity, I work candidly and collaboratively, always at a pace that adapts as you do. We'll check-in with one another often, especially in our first few sessions, to ensure that we're on track for changes you seek.

What kind of patients do you work best with?

I welcome any patient in search of my sensitive listening and gentle curiosity, but I've been particularly effective with those who are exceptionally hard on themselves or on other people. They say things like, “I second-guess too much” or “I get nervous in situations where I need to be confident.” Others might say, “I get irritated easily” or “I have a hard time letting go of hard feelings toward others.” These patients are often in search of freedom from perfectionism, regret, anger, guilt, or shame.

Are there any particular areas of focus that really interest you?

Whether one’s family life growing up appeared postcard-perfect or was marked by dysfunction, our early experiences can inform our later actions in ways not always obvious. I am especially interested in how our particular families’ cultures and generational histories interact with a society’s norms, and in turn how these affect our own understanding of who we are—or who we think we need to be. Through gentle exploration and integration, I've seen people realize they are more than their histories and reconnect with more authentic parts of themselves.