Ruth Shih, MCMHC

Philosophy
I see therapy as a collaborative series of conversations in which you choose your destination, and I use my knowledge to help you navigate. It’s also okay if you’re unsure of your destination because we can work to figure it out together. In my sessions, I strive to be warm, compassionate, and truthful. Through exploration of your past, values, and dreams for the future, I hope to help you thrive as best as you can under your present circumstances.

I approach therapy through an existential lens. Emotions are meant to be felt, but sometimes grief and anxiety feel too overwhelming. I work with you to find ways to process your pain in order to help you live the life you want. I believe strongly in the importance of nourishing both the mind and body. When we feel physically unwell, it impacts our mental health and vice versa. Through our sessions together, I work to help you understand yourself better and prioritize your physical and emotional wellbeing.

I work with adults and have experience helping clients dealing with issues of grief, depression, anxiety, and trauma. I’ve received training in trauma-informed care in working with survivors of domestic violence as part of my volunteer work at Palomar. I welcome clients of all spiritual and religious beliefs, gender identities, sexual identities, and backgrounds.

Education and Background
I am an LPC Candidate working towards independent licensure. I received my Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Oklahoma in 2025.

My undergraduate degree was in computer science. Although I enjoyed the analytical side of writing software, it was never something I felt passionate about. During my time working in the corporate software world, I started looking for a therapist. It was scary at first because I didn’t know what to expect.

The first therapist I saw wasn’t a good fit so I stopped going after a few sessions. Months later, I started with another therapist who really listened to me and worked with me to get to the root of my issues. I found all the information this therapist shared with me about mental health fascinating and genuinely helpful. After eight years of software development, I decided to become a therapist myself because of how profoundly therapy changed my life for the better. I hope to give my clients as good an experience as I’ve had as a client myself.

Rates
My rate is $85 per 50 minute session. As an LPC-Candidate, I cannot take private insurance.

Please contact me for questions about scheduling or payments:

Email: ruth.shih@hushmail.com

Text or call: (405) 363-8259