Sarah Ruiz, Ph.D.
Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist
Welcome!
Dr. Sarah Ruiz is a bicultural and bilingual Spanish-speaking licensed psychologist who has worked and trained at top sites (University of Minnesota, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, CHOC Children's). She has advanced training and certification in a number of evidence-based approaches for working with children, teens and young adults including Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Dr. Ruiz also has specialized in working with chronically ill youth and those impacted by medical conditions.
This is your safe space
Dr. Ruiz utilizes a culturally-sensitive, collaborative and empathetic treatment approach with clients and the families. As a first-generation Latina, she values the importance of being able to bring our whole selves to therapy and creating a safe space that affirms your identities and life experiences. Dr. Ruiz is committed to creating a safe space for all clients, that values and celebrates their identities and how that impacts their valuable perspectives. She is also part of the GALAP Project, providing letters for gender affirming access to medical care. Dr. Ruiz will work with you and your child to build a strong therapeutic relationship to help guide you to reach your goals.
Trauma
Dr. Ruiz is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT is a structured, short-term treatment approach that effectively improves trauma-related symptoms in 8-25 sessions with the youth and caregiver. This is a widely studied treatment approach that is effective for various traumatic experiences, youth of different developmental ages, and across different cultures.
Anxiety
Is your child feeling worried all the time? Feeling too scared or nervous to do things they want to do? Dr. Ruiz treats anxiety with various evidence based practices including the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposures to address your child's anxiety. Your child will learn how to identify and manage anxious feelings and behaviors in anxiety provoking situations.
Depression
Depression is a real and treatable condition that can lead to long periods of sadness, irritability, anger and withdrawal. Dr. Ruiz addresses depression through Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A) to help youth manage symptoms and re-engage in life.
Medical Concerns
Research suggests that about 40% of children and adolescents experience at least one chronic health condition in the US. Adjusting to a new diagnosis or managing a chronic illness can be stressful and impact all aspects of your child's life. Dr. Ruiz has experience working with youth coping with illness, undergoing major medical treatment and those who have experienced medical trauma.
Want to make an appointment?
To make an appointment, contact Dr. Ruiz at: (949) 229-5708.
Dr. Ruiz work at Compass Therapy, a small private practice located at 4063 Birch St Suite 220 in Newport Beach. She is currently accepting clients for telehealth services only.
She charges $250 per 50-minute session. She asks that clients pay up front for services and then generate Superbills (bills designed to be submitted to insurance for reimbursement). Unfortunately, Dr. Ruiz is unable to accept insurance at this time.