Ruby Linhan, Psychotherapist in Columbus, 43202

Ruby Linhan, LISW

Profession(s):
Psychotherapy
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
Social Work - I.1101086

My Approach to Helping

Confidence, satisfaction, and strength-- those are my goals for you. My approach to helping people is based in simple principles of body awareness and strengthening your ability to act and engage with other people and the world around you in a way that meets your needs. Part of my job is to encourage you to get to know yourself better-- this is the awareness piece. Another part is to make space for you to explore how to be more effective-- this is the action piece. Together, these pieces create a holistic mode of psychotherapy which is particularly useful for adults who have histories of childhood abuse and other trauma.

For a variety of reasons, people aren't always able to enter into adulthood with the self-esteem and security that was their birthright. Therapy is partly about learning new skills, but on a deeper level it's about finishing the process of growing up. That's one of the tasks I can help with.

The therapeutic relationship is a space for exploring how to be yourself without getting stuck in shame. I work hard to offer the support and honesty you need to really thrive.

In addition to a specialization in complex trauma, I also enjoy working with people who struggle with anxiety, a sense of sadness or worthlessness, eating, body image concerns, and self-harm behaviors. I work with women, men, and trans folks, and straight and GLBT people.

More Info About My Practice

Most of the people who see me choose to use their out-of-network insurance benefits or take advantage of my sliding scale fee structure. If you have Medicare, Molina, or Caresource I can take your insurance directly.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

Adults who experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other difficult and traumatic events as children benefit immensely from my approach to therapy. The combination of emotional and physical awareness provides a strong foundation for developing new and satisfying approaches to others and the larger world.

My Role as a Therapist

My role as a therapist is to support and guide you through your process of discovering, digesting and then transforming your truth so that you can create the life you want. My interest is in helping people do much more than adjust to the lives the have-- I enjoy helping people transform themselves and their lives so that the two are harmonious.

Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist

Work with a therapist you like and respect. This may mean finding someone who can balance her/his warmth and support with firmness and helpful boundaries.

How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist

I have been in therapy and have difficulty imagining that I would be able to sit with my clients and be authentically present if I hadn't gone gone through my own struggles and continue to attend to my personal growth.

What I Say to People Concerned about the Therapy Process

One of the initial tasks of therapy is to establish a sense of safety and identify each person's sources of internal and external support. Sometimes a person may not yet have learned the skills for self-soothing and self-care needed for facing painful feelings-- in these cases we begin developing these skills in the very first session. I do provide crisis support via telephone sessions when appropriate and at times in the therapeutic process this can be an important resource for people. I also have noticed over the years that people, in general, do a pretty good job of knowing what's too much for them to handle-- and when someone tells me that they're not ready to do traumatic piece of work I respect their judgement.

Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance

The relationship between a client and their therapist is the most powerful component of successful therapy. It is in the context of the therapeutic relationship that people are able to try out new ways of being in the world and get feedback on the effectiveness of these changes. The therapeutic relationship can also be a space in which unmet needs from childhood can be met and that pain can be soothed. People who work with me can expect me to be truthful with them and to like them.