Tony Ruiz, LMSW

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

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

“Authenticity helps us heal. It’s why I work transparently and collaboratively, at a pace that adapts to every individual’s unique starting point. Some people come to therapy feeling like they’re going in circles, caught in repetitive thoughts and emotions that make it hard to feel good about themselves or connect with other people. Others arrive holding something heavy that they’re ready at long last to set down if they only knew how and who to trust with it.

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 self-expression so that life can feel less embattled and more serene, connected, and joyous.”

Q & A

How do you describe your counseling style?

The vulnerability that therapy invites takes courage. Together we can create a trusting space where the unspoken can emerge, safely and free of judgment or rejection. In time, we’ll gently focus-in on the emotional memories that have shaped your relationships with others and with yourself, and get curious about the reasons that certain parts of your history became important to hold onto. I’ll stay with you as you discover new dimensions of self-knowledge and self-expression so that life can feel less embattled and more serene, connected, and joyous.

What kind of patients do you work best with?

I welcome any patient in search of a sensitive listener, 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.” Basically, it’s those looking for freedom from perfectionism, regrets, anger, guilt, or shame.

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

Whether one’s home life growing up seemed postcard-perfect or marked by dysfunction, these early experiences can inform our later actions in ways not always obvious. I am particularly interested in how the particular cultures and generational histories of our families interact with a society’s norms, and in turn how that affects our own understanding of who we are. Through gentle processing and integration, I've seen people realize they are more than their histories and reconnect with their authentic selves.