Jessica Ruiz
I’m the owner of Veritas Pathway Counseling, PLLC, a solo practice offering virtual therapy for adults in Virginia and North Carolina. I bring more than eight years of counseling experience and a 19-year background in medical education. I support adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma and PTSD, grief, and life transitions. As a Puerto Rican, Spanish-speaking counselor from a military-connected family, I have a particular passion for supporting veterans, military-connected adults, and the Latino/a community. I offer sessions in English and Spanish and value understanding how your identity, relationships, health, and life experiences shape what you’re going through. My goal is to help you feel understood while we work together toward changes that matter to you.
Most importantly, I want therapy to feel like a place where you can be honest, ask questions, and be fully yourself without judgment.
First session
Our first session is about getting to know each other and understanding what brings you to therapy. There’s no pressure to share your entire life story in an hour. We’ll discuss what’s happening in your life, relevant background, what you’d like help with, and what you hope will change. You’ll have space to ask questions, share what helps you feel comfortable, and consider whether my approach feels right for you. Together, we’ll begin identifying priorities and possible next steps. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard and respected, with a clearer understanding of how we might work together.
Strengths
I bring warmth, curiosity, and a collaborative approach to our sessions. I take time to understand your experiences, relationships, and cultural background, along with the strengths you already bring. My approach is integrative and trauma-informed, which means we draw from different therapeutic methods based on your needs, goals, and what feels helpful to you. I offer support and gentle challenges to help you notice patterns, consider new perspectives, and put insights into practice. We’ll check in about what’s working and adjust along the way. I want you to feel comfortable being honest, asking questions, and showing up as yourself.
Ideal clients
I work well with adults who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or worn down by trying to manage everything on their own. You may be navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, or a major life change and want space to understand your experiences and find a way forward. I especially welcome veterans, military-connected adults, and clients seeking culturally responsive care in English or Spanish. You don’t need to know exactly what to say or where to begin. My approach may fit you if you value collaboration, honest conversation, and support that includes gentle challenges when helpful. Together, we’ll build on your strengths, explore patterns, and work toward changes that matter to you.
Origin story
After 19 years in medical education, I wanted to connect with people more directly and support them through the challenges affecting their everyday lives. That interest led me to pursue my master’s in counseling and begin a second career as a therapist. Counseling brings together my curiosity about people, empathy, and respect for each person’s experiences. I value the relationships we build and the conversations that help clients feel understood, recognize their strengths, and discover new possibilities for themselves.
Ongoing work together
Our sessions will balance space to talk openly with practical strategies you can use in daily life. Depending on your needs, we may explore patterns, process difficult experiences, practice coping skills, or work on expressing your needs and setting boundaries. We’ll set goals together and regularly check in on what’s helping, what feels challenging, and what needs adjusting. Progress might mean managing difficult emotions more effectively, responding differently to familiar situations, or feeling more confident in your choices. Some sessions may feel structured, while others allow more room to explore. We’ll adapt our work to your needs, preferences, and pace.
Treatment methods
Integrative
I use an integrative, trauma-informed approach, drawing primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. These approaches help us explore how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect, find ways to respond to difficult experiences, and build practical skills for managing emotions and relationships. Being trauma-informed means I consider how past experiences may affect you today and prioritize safety, trust, and your ability to make choices throughout therapy. Together, we’ll tailor our work to your needs, goals, and comfort level, adjusting based on what you find helpful.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Licensed in
- North CarolinaLicense 15756
- VirginiaLicense 0701013270