Ruth Westfall, LMSW

Ruth Westfall is an LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker practicing in Michigan with 30 years of experience. She works with adults who are coping with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, anger, relationship and family concerns, and related mood and adjustment problems.

Ruth's work often focuses on how traumatic experiences and long-term stress show up in everyday life. She has experience supporting people affected by crime and domestic violence, and she has seen how stress can ripple into health, work, schooling, and relationships. She describes anxiety and depression as common and increasing concerns, especially since the pandemic.

In sessions she draws on client-centered methods while also using cognitive behavioral strategies and dialectical behavior approaches when useful. Mindfulness and motivational interviewing tools are part of her toolbox too. She aims to teach practical skills people can use between sessions to manage strong emotions and reduce reactivity.

Ruth helps people notice patterns that feed anger and resentment, and then practices clearer ways to respond. Work may include learning grounding and breath-based coping, testing new thoughts that reduce escalation, and building toleration skills for distress. The emphasis is on clear, doable techniques rather than labels.

She also addresses caregiver stress, grief, isolation, ADHD-related struggles, and women's issues. People who want to start typically complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session to talk about priorities and goals.

Approaches that translate well to online work