Ruth Cohen MS, LPC-MHSP

she / her / hers

I provide mental health counseling to adults and adolescents in person in my east Nashville, Inglewood office or virtually on a secure therapy platform.

I believe that therapy is a process and the relationship between the therapist and the client are central to success. I have seen people transform their lives and I hope I can be part of that with my clients. I want you to thrive.

I enjoy working with a wide range of people with a wider range of the problems that come with being human. Clients come to me with all kinds of challenges and problems; anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship stressors, parenting, ADHD, and dysphoria. We collaborate to find the approaches that work for you.

Lately, I have been working with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosis and treatment - which can look more like executive function coaching. I am on out member of the queer community and enjoy working with clients who also identify as parts of that varied group. I am secular in my approach, which really matters for some. I have been honored to work with transgender clients undergoing medical transitions to affirm their gender — although I do not specialize in mental health evaluations (or letters) that some providers require. I have also had the privilege of working with clients for whom consensual non monogamy (such as open relationships or polyamory) are part of their lives.

I began this work with those managing major mental illness and their families. These can be lifelong issues with the complicated effects of imperfect medications. I have answered calls on a crisis line and I am comfortable walking with those who struggle or are recovering from suicidal thoughts and impulses.

Children heal in the context of families. Although I do not generally work with children now —I have worked with children, youths and adults who are connected with the Child Welfare System (DCS) for a number of years. This work has a particular focus on trauma, grief and loss, and attachment. I am trained in Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), the Attachment Self-Regulation Competency model (ARC) and Theraplay. I have experience working with adopting and adopted families.

I have been counseling for over 15 years. I graduated with my masters in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University in 2007 and I have been licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider since 2011 (LPC-MHSP 2393).

Throughout my career I have been privileged to work with people from many different backgrounds with a wide variety of challenges. I received training in a number of areas and modalities during that time; below are just a few:

• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing is a well studied treatment for trauma. I am pleased to be able to offer this treatment as many of my current clients are making new progress with it.

• ARC: Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency. A framework for addressing child and adolescent trauma in the context of a caregiving system.

• Theraplay® Helping parents and children build better relationships through attachment based play

• Couples counseling of many types

• Adoption and the Family System

• Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

• Domestic Violence

• Depression and Anxiety

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy