Works with
How Ruth works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LPC
- Licensed in
- Missouri
- Years in practice
- 35
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Ruth
Ruth Stoan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 35 years of experience helping people make meaningful changes. She encourages straightforward steps and practical skill building to address what is getting in the way of a fuller life. Ruth often emphasizes moving past old habits and thought patterns so clients can try new ways of living.
Ruth has worked in independent practice and community settings. She has supported people facing grief, loss, relationship strain, addiction, stress, anxiety, and aging and caregiver challenges.
Background and approach
She has also helped clients with LGBT issues, career shifts, and intimacy or communication concerns. Her background includes a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Ruth pairs traditional counseling methods with breath work, mindfulness, imagery, and other holistic tools to help clients build new skills.
She describes coaching techniques as part of sessions when useful for goal-setting and action planning. In sessions she focuses on immediate concerns while also looking for deeper patterns that limit progress. Conversations typically include practical exercises, skill practice, and plans clients can try between meetings.
Ruth prefers video sessions but also offers phone and text formats when those work better for a person’s schedule. Many people seek her help for anger, stress, self-esteem, depression, life changes, and career or relationship issues. She aims to support clients as an advocate and partner while they test new ways of responding and living.
What Ruth works with
Everything Ruth lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Ruth's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Ruth lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches online and how they help
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) invites people to clarify their values and take small committed actions that match those values while allowing difficult thoughts and feelings to exist. ACT can help when anxiety, avoidance, or low motivation are getting in the way of goals.Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and building a trusting relationship so people feel heard and understood. This approach is helpful for grief, relationship strain, self-esteem work, and exploring life changes without judgment.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Ruth will discuss each method and help decide what fits your needs, goals, and preferences. That decision is collaborative and may change as progress unfolds.
Online sessions include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging which makes scheduling easier around work and life. Video sessions let you see each other for clearer communication, phone calls can be a good option when bandwidth is low, and chat or text can work for short check-ins or when a written check-in feels easier. These options allow therapy to fit into busy routines and different comfort levels.
Questions people ask about Ruth
What concerns does Ruth commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, anger, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, self-esteem, career questions, ADHD, and many life changes.
What is her therapy style like?
Ruth uses a mix of practical counseling, coaching, and body-centered tools such as breath work and mindfulness. Sessions focus on skills, experiments, and clear steps clients can try between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
She has 35 years of clinical experience in independent practice and community agencies supporting a wide range of concerns and transitions.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, practicing in Missouri and holding a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Ruth offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.