Hello!

My name is Bryanna Ruge. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who is passionate about meeting those I am privileged to work with where they are at and walk alongside them in this uncertainty called life. My approach to counseling starts with the here and now, and focuses first on the immediate concerns and needs in the present. I feel that therapy is most successful when we feel empowered to manage our present moment, and are then able to dig into the deeper meanings of the things we do and how we view the world as individuals. The view I hold of the past is that it is a part of life that is chosen to be revealed, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to be allowed into that space with clients in the therapy setting. I feel those I work with have a great amount of insight to offer in the counseling process, and I view each individual as being the “expert” of themselves. My belief is that therapists are here to support and help each individual take the skills they already have and add to them. The focus then becomes to strengthen the client’s ability to tackle the stressors and emotions in their life that feel the biggest. I believe in empowering individuals to be their best self, and stand by the idea of being “unapologetically you.” There is only one YOU, after all!

I have felt called to be a therapist most of my life, and I have always had the passion for helping others. We as individuals are puzzles, comprised of the multitude of experiences, interactions, and events that we have experienced in our lives. This puzzle makes up our story, and makes you who you are. My approach to therapy is primarily person-centered, with the individual being the leader in the session. I approach therapy from a supportive, empathetic, and understanding stance, and seek to provide a nonjudgmental space for each individual to wrestle with difficult thoughts and emotions.

Some random bits about me:

My husband is my biggest cheerleader and has been my best friend since middle school.

I am a “mom” to multiple “fur babies” that I adore…2 dogs and 3 cats to be exact.

Antiquing and upcycling is one of my favorite hobbies. I find I have a knack for seeing the beauty and potential in things that may seem to be useless or on their last life.

Art – especially painting – is one of my greatest passions. I feel self-expression is one of the most beautiful forms of communication.

Background and experience: I graduated from Grace College and Theological Seminary with my Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Counseling in 2018. Prior to my graduate studies, I attended Grace College for my undergraduate work as well, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Art and Psychology in 2016. With my schooling being at Grace College, I have been trained to utilize a Christian counseling approach, and have primarily worked so far in secular settings. I have worked in inpatient hospitals, school counseling settings, and community mental health, and have experience with a variety of presenting concerns. I have a passion to help teens and adults work through the challenging seasons of life and build a firm foundation of skills to use for the rest of their lives. My dream one day is to specialize in art therapy, and use creative expression as a way of expressing thoughts and emotions that cannot be put into words. I am very passionate about the healing power of art, and have found great benefit personally through painting out my own emotions and putting on a canvas what I cannot put into words. I strongly believe that so many others can benefit from this form of therapy as well, and strive to inspire others to live life to express themselves.

574-402-1403