Welcome

I have been working in mental health  as a researcher, advocate, and therapist for the past ten years.  As a researcher, I have worked on studies investigating the efficacy of multiple therapeutic interventions including Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and yoga.  In my clinical practice, I integrate this expertise in working with individuals struggling with trauma, depression, grief, and loss.  I strongly believe in the dignity, wisdom, and self determination of every client. Polyvagal theory, interpersonal neurobiology,and an attachment lens underpin my theoretical approach.  I am warm, encouraging, and bring humor when needed.  In working with me, you will learn concrete tools to regulate your nervous system, listen to your innate wisdom, and find strength.   I work with adults, and elders and welcome people of all faith, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.  LGBTQAI friendly. Sometimes, the hardest part is getting started.  I would love to hear from you to discuss how I might support you on your journey -

Experience

1/19 - 7/2021 Stacy Ruse Counseling Group

Title: Manager of Clinical Services

• Provide individual and group supervision for licensure candidates

• facilitate weekly DBT groups

• provide individual psychotherapy specializing in complex trauma

5/16 – 1/19  Windhorse Integrative Mental Health, Seattle, WA and Portland, OR

Title: Team Leader and Psychotherapist

• Lead clinician and contact for treatment team

• Crisis counseling and suicide and risk assessment

• Provide twice weekly psychotherapy for clients.

• Weekly parent and family sessions providing ongoing psychoeducation and support. 

• Program Development and Strategic Planning

12/14 – 5/16   Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington Seattle, WA

Title: Clinical Research Therapist

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team on a multi-site mixed methods randomized controlled study comparing the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with antidepressant medication for individuals on hemodialysis with comorbid depression.

• work with study team to develop research protocol and manual of procedures.

• Implement engagement intervention and ten week CBT intervention for treatment of depression. 

• Completed sixteen hours of training in CBT for depression with End Stage Renal Disease Patients and eight hours of training in engaging patients on hemodialysis in depression care. 

3/15 – 5/16 Swedish Medical Center Seattle, WA

Title: MSW

• Perform bio/psycho/social assessments including suicide, risk, and substance use assessments for newly admitted patients and coordinate care based on evaluation.

• Provide brief interventions, grief counseling, and emotional support  

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary team to create discharge plan ensuring medical, mental health, and basic needs of patients are met.

11/13– 12/14 MOMCare Research Project University of Washington Seattle, WA

Title: Graduate Research Assistant

• Worked with interdisciplinary team on mixed methods, randomized controlled study evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) as a culturally relevant intervention for low-income pregnant women diagnosed with depression and PTSD.

• Facilitated mindfulness exercises for staff at weekly depression care specialist meetings.

• Data management and maintained inter- rater reliability.

• Helped develop coding schema for content analysis, and coded qualitative interviews

5/13 – 12/13 Street Yoga Seattle, WA

Title: Social Work Intern

• Coordinated data analysis and publication of research agency report on pilot and feasibility study.

• Completed trauma informed yoga teacher training for youth and taught classes at partner sites in Seattle.

• Developed best practice guidelines for yoga instructors of trauma informed yoga classes for youth

Education and Training

Masters of Social Work, 2015 University of Washington School of Social Work

BA Literature, Minor Psychology,2009 University of Colorado, Boulder

Registered Yoga Teacher 200 hour,2010 Integral Yoga Academy

Resolving Trauma in Psychotherapy: A Somatic Approach 2020

EMDR Basic Training Denver, CO 2019

Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & More: An intensive online course with Dr. Richard Schwartz & Dr. Frank Anderson (Online Course) 2020

DBT Trained 2019 

Windhorse Intensive Psychotherapy Training, Portland, OR 2018

Singing Over the Bones, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Loveland, CO 2018

Psychopharmacology, Portland, OR 2017

Interpersonal Neurobiology and the Hero’s Journey, Portland OR 2017

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Depression in End Stage Renal Disease Patients, Seattle, WA 2015

Engaging Patients on Hemodialysis in Depression Treatment, Seattle, WA 2015

Perinatal Mental Health in 2014: Future Implications for Vulnerable Populations, Seattle, WA 2014

Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk Training, Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), Seattle, WA 2013

Trauma Informed Yoga for Youth Teacher Training, Street Yoga, Seattle, WA 2013

Prenatal/Postpartum Yoga Intensive Training, The Yoga Workshop, Boulder, CO 2011