IFSTherapists

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LCSW

Ruth Vivian, LCSW

  • Experience5 years
  • LocationDelaware
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Addictions, and Family
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
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About Ruth

Ruth Vivian is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Delaware who centers her work on Internal Family Systems alongside other trauma-informed methods. She brings five years of clinical experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, substance use concerns, family conflict, and the effects of trauma and abuse.

Background and approach

Ruth emphasizes a strengths-based view, guiding clients to recognize inner resources and reorganize internal parts so everyday challenges feel more manageable. Her approach combines practical coping skills with deeper exploration of patterns that contribute to relationship strain, grief, low self-esteem, mood differences, and identity-related questions.

She also addresses a broad range of related concerns such as attachment and abandonment issues, codependency, chronic illness impact, parenting stress, eating and body image concerns, and substance-related challenges. Ruth frames therapy as collaborative work aimed at clearer goals, better relationships, and increased satisfaction in daily life.

Integrating evidence-based approaches with flexible online care

Internal Family Systems is an approach that helps people explore and relate to different inner parts with curiosity and compassion, often clarifying patterns that drive anxiety, relationship conflict, and self-criticism. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, focuses on practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress during life changes. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly called EMDR, offers a structured way to process traumatic memories and reduce their current emotional impact.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to identify goals, assess which methods feel most helpful, and adapt the plan over time so therapy stays aligned with evolving needs and preferences.

Online therapy with Ruth is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats make it possible to maintain continuity of care around busy schedules or geographic limits, allowing licensed professionals to deliver both skill-based coaching and deeper trauma work without requiring in-person visits.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Ruth commonly address in therapy?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflict, trauma and abuse, and related issues such as grief, relationship and intimacy struggles, mood concerns, and self-esteem difficulties.
What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?
Ruth integrates Internal Family Systems with trauma-focused and skills-based approaches like DBT and EMDR, blending exploration of internal parts with tools for emotional regulation and trauma processing.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years of professional experience providing mental health services in clinical settings.
What credentials and location are associated with this therapist?
Ruth holds an LCSW license and practices in Delaware; her credential appears as DE LCSW Q1-0012094.
Are sessions available in languages other than English or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients according to the stated availability.
Which session formats are offered for therapy?
Therapy is available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are costs and subscriptions handled?
Costs vary based on location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered via a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseCoping with life changes

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Psychodynamic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

5+ years

Licensed

Delaware

Languages

English