Andres Ruiz
Do you feel persistently overwhelmed, as if you're fighting an uphill battle with your mental health? Is it becoming increasingly difficult to navigate life's ups and downs with serenity? Are you striving for a harmonious balance between personal life, career, and self-care? Have you ever felt like "something's wrong" but can't quite ever identify what it is, or where that feeling is coming from? I am dedicated to helping people from all walks of life better cope with stress and anxiety without compromising their drive for success. I believe in the importance of holistic wellness and integrate various therapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, and hypnosis to help you find a path to inner peace while staying productive and motivated. Whether you're grappling with stress, anxiety, grief, or unprocessed trauma, remember it's brave to reach out for help. Our collaboration will offer a safe and non-judgmental space for you to explore your feelings, identify your triggers, and cultivate effective coping mechanisms. Together, we will navigate the ebb and flow of your life, aiming for personal growth, tranquility, and a balanced lifestyle.
First session
In your first session with me, you can expect a welcoming and safe space where we start to get to know each other. I'll ask you about your background, your current challenges, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. It's a chance for you to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. I'll also explain how I work, the types of therapy I use, and answer any questions you might have. This session is all about building trust and understanding, setting the foundation for our future work together. Remember, there's no pressure to cover everything in one session; it's just the beginning of our journey.
Strengths
When I talk to people about their past therapy experiences, I often hear that they didn't feel heard or listened to. It's a common issue in therapy, where therapists might be too focused on taking notes and not fully present with their clients. Being truly heard and seen is important, and I believe it's something that sometimes gets overlooked in mental health care. As your therapist, I promise to prioritize listening to you and ensuring you feel heard during our sessions. I also believe in regularly checking in with you for feedback after our sessions. This helps me understand if our current approach is effective or if we need to adjust our strategy. Research shows that therapy works best when clients have a say in how it goes. By getting your input, we can work together to find the best way to meet your needs.
Ideal clients
For the past four years, I've been employed as a therapist in a criminal justice setting. This unique role has provided me with opportunities to encounter and manage a variety of situations and mental health conditions rarely experienced by therapists in private practice. My work with incarcerated individuals has exposed me to a broad spectrum of treatment methods, applicable to an extensive range of circumstances and conditions. This exposure has significantly enhanced my capabilities, shaping me into a more versatile and well-rounded therapist. PTSD, C-PTSD, Dissociation and the Dissociative Disorders (DID, OSDD, Depersonalization, Derealization), Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders, Domestic Violence, Anxiety and Panic Disorders, Grief. The areas I have the most experience working with and am therefore most confident in are as follows: PTSD and C-PTSD Domestic Violence Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders (such as DID, OSDD, Derealization, and Depersonalization) Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder. Anxiety and Panic Disorders.
Treatment methods
EMDR
I have extensive experience with EMDR, a powerful psychotherapy technique proven to be effective for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. My journey with EMDR began 7 years ago, and since then, I've been rigorously trained and have integrated this method into my practice to help clients process and heal from various forms of psychological distress. My approach with EMDR is client-centered and trauma-informed. I ensure a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their memories at a pace that feels comfortable for them. I've successfully incorporated EMDR into treatment plans for individuals dealing with a range of issues, from acute stress and anxiety to deep-seated trauma stemming from a long history of childhood abuse and neglect, domestic violence during childhood or in a relationship as an adult, as well as with military veterans. The effectiveness of EMDR in my practice has been evident through the profound and positive changes seen in my clients, often transforming painful emotional wounds into empowering growth and resilience.
Somatic
I incorporate Somatic Experiencing into my practice to help clients heal from trauma by addressing how overwhelming experiences affect both the mind and body. Trauma can leave us feeling stuck in patterns of anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm, or disconnection, even long after the experience has passed. Somatic Experiencing offers a gentle, body-oriented approach to helping clients recognize and shift these patterns. My approach focuses on helping clients develop a greater awareness of their nervous system and the physical sensations associated with stress and trauma. Through techniques such as grounding, resourcing, and carefully paced exploration of bodily sensations, I help clients build their capacity to regulate difficult emotions, process unresolved traumatic experiences, and restore a greater sense of safety and control. I integrate Somatic Experiencing with other trauma-focused approaches, including EMDR, tailoring treatment to each client's individual needs. My goal is to help clients move beyond simply understanding their trauma intellectually and begin experiencing meaningful changes in how they also feel, respond, and navigate their daily lives.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
In my therapy practice, I employ Internal Family Systems (sometimes known as "parts work"), a powerful and respectful approach to understanding complex internal dynamics and promoting healing. With IFS, I guide clients to recognize and understand their various 'parts' or ego-states that contribute to their emotional and psychological makeup. Using the IFS model, I help clients explore these parts, understand their roles and intentions, and learn how they interact within their internal system. This approach is particularly effective for addressing a range of issues, from trauma and anxiety to relationship challenges and self-esteem. The aim is to achieve balance and harmony among the parts, leading to greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and emotional well-being.
Psychodynamic
I utilize psychodynamic therapy, an approach that delves into understanding unconscious processes and how they shape our current behavior and emotions. This modality focuses on exploring unresolved issues and feelings that stem from past experiences, often from early childhood, to bring about self-awareness and change. In psychodynamic therapy, I work collaboratively with clients to uncover patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and relationships. We explore the influence of the past on present behavior, aiming to uncover hidden meanings and motivations. This method is particularly beneficial for those struggling with deep-seated emotional issues, complex interpersonal relationships, and chronic psychological distress. Through this approach, I create a therapeutic environment that encourages introspection and reflection, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and one's relationships. My goal is to help clients achieve insight into their internal world, leading to greater emotional freedom and improved mental health.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- North CarolinaLicense C015775