Ellen Rugg,Ellen M Rugg, MA, MSW, LICSW, CPG, PLLC

Ellen Rugg
Call Visit Website

Ellen Rugg, Ellen M Rugg, MA, MSW, LICSW, CPG, PLLC

Verified
Telehealth Available
Professions: Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Other
License Status: I'm a licensed professional.
Primary Credential: Social Worker Independent Clinical License - LW00004447
Telephone: 206-547-7844
Billing and Insurance:
Fees: My fees are: $175 for an individual session, $150 each for three pre-group consultations,
$60-80 for a group therapy session
I accept checks or secure bank-to-bank transfers through Zelle.
I am an out-of-network provider and will provide you with "superbills" so that you may be reimbursed by your insurance company. It's always wise to call your plan in advance to inquire on your out-of-network benefits.

A 15 minute phone consult (no charge) is offered to discuss what you're looking for and whether we are a good fit to work together.
Free Initial Phone Consultation
Accepting New Clients
Seattle, WA Washington 98103

Offices

Seattle, Washington 98103

Follow on Social Media

FB

My Approach to Helping

For 35 years I've had the good fortune to help adults feel better about themselves & their relationships. My style is warm, straight-forward, & collaborative. I use a strength-based approach and have had success helping with a broad range of life's problems.

Issues I enjoy working with include: changing relationship patterns, mid-life issues, women's issues, work-life balance, boundaries and "people-pleasing", assertiveness and self-confidence, and grief and loss.

I love to work with family-of origin issues, and help to re-work faulty beliefs rooted in childhood.

I work collaboratively with each of my clients to create a specific plan based on strengths, needs, and goals. Depending on what your needs are we may:

1. work psychodynamically: The goals of psychodynamic therapy are to increase self-awareness and understanding of how the past has influenced current life. From there you are freed up to experiment with new ways of being. When you take a risk and do something differently it becomes part of who you are. Old patterns are interrupted and new ways of living are created.

2. work cognitive- behaviorally: The goals of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are to explore how distorted beliefs may be affecting your current feelings & behavior. By exploring and challenging negative or distorted thoughts, you are then challenged to change related feelings and behavior.
3. work to resolve abuse by weaving back and forth between the "here & now" and the past.

I also have several non-clinical women's personal development groups and believe strongly in the power of groups. I'm a seasoned group psychotherapist and am a Certified Group Psychotherapist through the American Group Psychotherapy Association.

Group Offerings:

Midlife Women's Group-- Alternate Wednesday eves 4:15-5:30pm. (75 minutes) $60 per session (This group will have openings in October 2025)
"30 Somethings" Women's Group: meets monthly on fourth Friday 12:30-2:15pm (105 min). $80 per session. This group will have openings in November 2025.
"30-40 Somethings" Women's Group: meets monthly on fourth Friday 3:00-4:45pm (105 min). $80 per session. This group will have an opening in November 2025.
Group often becomes a meaningful touchstone for members—a space to share experiences, gain perspective, and engage in thoughtful, growth-oriented conversations with other women. These groups are not designed to treat mental illness, but to support self-growth, connection, and deeper self-understanding. Members tend to be self-aware, supportive, and content in most areas of life. The group environment is encouraging and enriching, rather than focused on crisis support or clinical treatment.

I'm also privileged to be a WA State Certified Clinical Supervisor, and enjoy supervising
new therapist associates as they work toward licensure.

More Info About My Practice

$170 per individual session
$60-80 per group session

I am a preferred provider for Lyra plans.

I am out-of-network with all other plans and will be happy to provide you
with an invoice you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement.
Please verify with your plan whether you have out-of-network benefits and what they are.

Because my groups are designed for self-growth and support, they do not meet the "medical necessity"
criteria in order to be covered by insurance.

I love my work and consider it a privilege to be a part of therapeutic change process.

Feel free to contact me if you feel that you & I may be a good therapeutic "fit".

Sincerely,

Ellen M Rugg

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

Relationship issues.
Family-of-origin issues.
Mid-life issues.
Women's issues.
Self-esteem & self-confidence.
Assertiveness awarenesstraining.
Life transitions.
Grief & loss.
Group therapy
Group consultation for licensed clinicians.

How Psychotherapy Can Help

Group therapy is a powerful modality for change. (And, research suggests it may be more effective than individual work!)

For many years, I have facilitated virtual groups for both midlife and younger women. Group provides an opportunity to
give and receive feedback from other women facing similar challenges. You?ll gain insight through interactions and by reflecting on the exchanges that occur within the group. I curate groups by carefully selecting clients who would make good learning partners for one another. The goal of group therapy is to increase your awareness of the issues affecting you and to support your personal growth.

Services I Provide

Ages I Work With

  • Adults
  • Elders

Languages

  • English

Groups I Work With

    Adults: High- functioning women
    Women's Self-Discovery Groups: Mid-Life Women's Group (Two sections of this group)
    Younger Women's Monthly Connection (Two sections of this group) The Third Act: a Group for Women 55+

    These groups offer supportive, interactive discussions to help participants achieve personal and interpersonal goals while enhancing life satisfaction. They are not intended as mental health treatment but rather as a way for members to grow, connect, and support one another.

    I carefully select participants who can both benefit from and contribute to the group experience. Members are encouraged to engage openly with one another. While I do not act as a psychotherapist in this setting, my training allows me to deepen the group process and foster meaningful learning.

Industries & Communities Served

  • Education
  • LGBTQ+
  • Self-Employed and Freelance Professionals

Client Concerns I Treat

  • Abortion / Post Abortion Issues
  • Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions
  • Adoption / Reunion Issues
  • Anxiety
  • Caregiver Issues / Stress
  • Codependency / Dependency
  • Communication Problems
  • Depression
  • Divorce / Divorce Adjustment
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Family of Origin Issues
  • Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
  • Habits
  • Inadequacy
  • Individuation
  • Isolation
  • LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Issues
  • Life Purpose / Meaning / Inner-Guidance
  • Midlife Crisis / Midlife Transition
  • Physical Abuse
  • Relationships and Marriage
  • Self-Care
  • Self-Confidence
  • Self-Criticism
  • Self-Doubt
  • Self-Esteem
  • Sexual Assault / Abuse
  • Shame
  • Sleep Issues
  • Social Anxiety / Phobia
  • Stress
  • Women's Issues
  • Worry
Show all Show less

Types of Therapy

  • Psychodynamic
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Show all Show less

See other therapists in Seattle, WA.

By using this site, you signify your assent and agreement to the Terms of Service.

GoodTherapy uses cookies to personalize content and ads to provide better services for our users and to analyze our traffic. By continuing to use this site you consent to our cookies.