About Ruth Cooper
I am deeply interested in human beings--their passions, their pain, their patterns. I feel priviledged to share in the journey of each of my clients.
Here are some of my Guiding Principles:
I Only Work with People I Think I Can Help. I understand that making time for sessions, telling your story, and paying for therapy are significant investments. There are many excellent therapists, each with different training and expertise, and I am not the right therapist for everyone. If I don't think I can help you, I will refer you to someone else.
Try Not to Complicate The Situation. A good, thorough assessment can save a lot of time later. So I ask a lot of questions. Small, targeted changes can reap big dividends. If we miss something important in the assessment, therapy takes longer.
It's My Job To Work Myself Out of a Job. I firmly believe that my job is to work myself out of a job with each of my clients. To that end, I will not only focus on assisting you in achieving your personal goals as quickly as possible, but I will also regularly share tools with you that you can use in between sessions and after our work comes to an end, empowering you with the same information that I have and use.
Practice What You Preach. My ability to be present and focused is one of the biggest determining factors in the success of therapy. In order to maintain that focus, I limit the number of clients I see. I take time to eat properly and exercise, try to get enough sleep, and I do things I enjoy. I meditate to help me stay centered and relaxed. All these habits help me give my best to each person.
My Credentials
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1992
- Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, 1987
- Member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists