Psychological Evaluation & Treatment

I approach my work with the assumption that everyone has the capacity to change, if provided with the proper support and treatment. Through respect of the individuality, the innate skills and personal autonomy of all clients, and developing interventions to meet the unique needs of every client, the ability to overcome the obstacles impeding the realization of a fulfilling and meaningful life will be achieved.

In assessments or outpatient therapy, part of my process is to ensure you feel heard, understood, encouraged, and supported. I value the unique experiences of individuals and strive to work with you as you navigate life’s stressors. I draw from various therapeutic approaches to explore challenges and promote insight, resiliency, and self-empowerment.

A psychological assessment is a collaborative effort between an individual, their support network (family members, health care providers, teachers, case managers etc.), and the evaluator. Effective partnership, vulnerability, and collaboration through the assessment process can enhance therapeutic understanding, build hope, and provide a pathway to help an individual meet their desired goals.

I stress the importance of practices of self-compassion in addressing shame and self-criticism. Additionally, I see the promotion of insight as an important step in demystifying, de-shaming, and empowering clients. This often involves orienting clients to the connection between their thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to their presenting problem. I find that this psychoeducation and insight promotion can create some much-needed separation between client and presenting concern. From here, there is room for attention to be brought to their values, broad life goals, cultural identity, and vital strengths so as not to lose sight of their personhood through their struggles. Despite many of my interventions being focused on adaptive change, I also see the value in acceptance, distress tolerance, and mindful awareness. In this way, I see the role of a therapist as often not fixing client problems but rather helping clients change how they relate to them.

I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is a key component to successful therapy. I aim to be genuine in the therapy room and encourage my clients to do the same. My professional philosophy includes incorporating multiple therapeutic techniques in order to tailor therapy to the specific needs of my clients. I emphasize empowering my clients in the therapeutic environment and their lives. My therapeutic style includes a balance of validation and challenges to help clients grow to their full potential.

When working with children and families, I use a strengths-based, empowering approach where caregivers and their children are the experts regarding their unique life experiences. As a clinician, my role is to provide tools so that children and families can embrace their existing skill sets, develop new strategies, and eventually function as their own therapists!

Dr. Ruth’s professional approach is underscored by a commitment to equity, inclusion, empirically-informed practices, and a decolonized approach to the field of psychology. A decolonized lens recognizes that biases, western cultural values, and oppressive practices have contributed to the development of the field psychology. Dr. Ruth strives to ensure appointments feel collaborative and that cultural values and identities are discussed throughout the appointment. She works to make sure processes and tasks are transparent and barriers to care are discussed and removed whenever possible. Dr. Ruth uses a trauma-informed, sex positive, gender-affirming framework and highlights strengths associated with neurodiversity. She frequently integrates concepts from non-violent communication (NVC) and, more generally, humanistic thought into her work. Dr. Swartwood specializes in applied ethics, sexuality and gender issues, grief and bereavement, and neurodevelopmental differences.