Julia Ruff, MS, NCC, LCMHCA
Primary Therapist for Seasons Group (students ages 10-13)
Julia Ruff uses a trauma-informed approach with students and the clinical modalities she utilizes include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy, expressive arts therapy, and mindfulness.
She is passionate about wilderness therapy and especially appreciates how often it presents opportunities for students to work through the core tenants of dialectical behavioral therapy – mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance.
Julia has worked for more than five years in the field of wilderness therapy. She began in the position of field instructor at SUWS and then returned to school to earn her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She completed her clinical internship at SUWS and has also worked directly with parents as a family coach, with adolescents at a therapeutic boarding school, and worked supporting children and families in a homeless shelter. Julia works well with complex family systems, including adoption and divorce, and her specialities include: anxiety, trauma, LGBTQIA+, and Autism Spectrum presentations.
Julia’s fun hair color is intentional and clinically informed. She finds that the bright colors help to build rapport with students because they often automatically see Julia as an ally, not just some stuffy boring adult. In her experience, it has helped students lower their guard quicker as they see Julia as someone who can understand what they’re going through.
She is licensed as a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate. In her free time, Julia loves playing with her two dogs, playing board games, hiking in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and gardening.
