Ru is an Associate Professional Counselor who received their Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and their Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University in 2023. Ru has a passion for working with individuals from marginalized backgrounds, specifically the 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, Neurodivergent, Kink, and Ethical Non- Monogamy (ENM) communities, whose identities have shaped the way they experience and navigate the world, along with their mental health needs.

With the lived experiences as a queer BIPOC person who grew up in the south, Ru draws from systems theories in order to better understand the context, influences, and systems that frame their client’s lived experiences and their intersectional identities. Ru’s therapeutic approach is holistic in which they integrate somatic approaches,psychoeducation,coping skills, and community resources into their work with clients to help them find balance and feel empowered in their lives. Ru’s therapeutic style is compassionate, authentic, validating yet firm, and is built on collaboration between themselves and their clients. Ru strives to create an accepting and safe space for all of their clients’ identities and experiences to identify strengths, process their lived experiences, and navigate overwhelming emotions using a trauma-informed perspective that emphasizes cultural humility and social justice.

Ru is building on over five years of experience working in the field of mental health in both research and clinical capacities. They specialize in working identity exploration (gender, sexuality, race, and neurodivergence), interpersonal and relational concerns, eating disorders in BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, grief work, and self-compassion. Ru is currently under the direct supervision of Dr. Erika Pluhar as they work to build their skills and get their certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Sex Therapy for relationships and individuals, who identify outside of societal relationship and sexual norms.