Ruth Brown, LPC
EMDR & Trauma Therapist in Sterling, VA
Gender: Female | Office Location: Sterling, Telehealth States Licensed In: Virginia
Languages: English | Services Offered: Therapy | Credentials: LPC | Age Group: Ages 16+
About Me
I’m Ruth Brown, a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 25 years of experience helping people navigate difficult experiences and create meaningful change in their lives. I earned my master’s degree in Counseling from Marymount University and became a Virginia LPC in 2000. I am also certified in EMDR therapy and have a particular passion for helping clients heal from trauma.
I work with older teens ages 16+ and adults of all ages, including LGBTQIA+ clients, who may be experiencing trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance use concerns, grief, relationship difficulties, or major life transitions. I believe deeply in our capacity for healing and transformation. There is no darkness where light cannot shine, and I have seen how therapy can help people feel more hopeful, capable, and in control of their lives.
My Approach to Therapy
I like to begin by understanding what you want from therapy and what you hope will be different by the time our work together ends. Having those goals gives us a direction while still allowing therapy to evolve as your needs change.
I use evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), DBT-informed strategies, and EMDR. With CBT, for example, we may identify patterns of thinking that are increasing your distress and work toward more balanced, neutral ways of responding.
For clients working through trauma, I provide EMDR both in person and through telehealth when clinically appropriate. EMDR can help reduce the distress connected to difficult experiences so that those experiences feel less overwhelming and clients can feel more in control.
What to Expect When Working With Me
You may be considering therapy because something has reached the point where you no longer want to handle it alone. Maybe you’ve been feeling stuck for a long time, struggling with anxiety or painful memories, coping with substance use, or realizing that experiences from your past continue to affect your life today.
I also want to know more than what’s going wrong. We’ll talk about what you enjoy, what brings you joy, and what you would like your life to look like as we determine what you want to accomplish in therapy.
During your first appointment, we’ll discuss what brought you to therapy and explore relevant parts of your family, educational, social, and medical history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What concerns do you specialize in?
I have extensive experience helping clients with trauma and PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, substance use, life transitions, bipolar disorder, and relationship concerns. I also work with concerns including OCD, social anxiety, grief, chronic illness or pain, self-esteem, family conflict, and other complex emotional challenges.
Do you provide EMDR therapy?
Yes. I am certified in EMDR therapy and provide EMDR both in person and through telehealth when appropriate. EMDR is one of the approaches I use with clients who are working through trauma and other distressing experiences.
Do you work with substance use concerns?
Yes. Substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns are among the areas I have experience treating. Therapy may involve understanding the relationship between substance use, emotions, trauma, relationships, and other areas of your life while developing healthier ways of coping.
What if I’m nervous about starting therapy?
Feeling nervous when you begin something unfamiliar is normal. I often encourage clients to remember another time they tried something new and how that initial nervousness changed once they became more familiar with the experience. I’m glad you are giving therapy a chance.
How long will I need to be in therapy?
That’s one of the questions clients ask me most often. There isn’t one timeline that applies to everyone. We’ll start by identifying what you want to accomplish and use those goals to guide our work. As therapy progresses, we can look together at the changes you’re experiencing and what you still want to address.
A Little More About Me
Outside of therapy, I enjoy singing in a choir, walking, kayaking, spending time outdoors, and being with family and friends. I am also the proud parent of four children who were “born in my heart.”
I look forward to meeting you and working together to define the goals you want to accomplish in therapy.
Ruth provides in-person appointments at our Sterling location, as well as telehealth services for clients who prefer to meet virtually.