Mary Ruhland

Compassionate evidence-informed care for complex emotions

LISW, CSW-PIP Iowa

Experience: 30 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Mary

Mary Ruhland is an Iowa-based licensed social worker with 30 years of clinical experience who blends practical, evidence-informed methods with a compassionate, client-centered stance.

Background and approach

She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside other approaches to help people examine thought patterns, build coping skills, and address problems like anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and mood disorders. Her work also addresses trauma and abuse, grief, addiction, and compassion fatigue while attending to related concerns such as body image, self-esteem, and isolation.

Her practice emphasizes collaboration and individualized care, guiding clients through relationship difficulties, communication problems, and intimacy-related or control issues. Mary supports exploration of life purpose, midlife transitions, and the emotional fallout of divorce or separation, and she addresses complex feelings like guilt, shame, and abandonment.

She also integrates strategies from DBT, EFT, and elements of the Gottman Method when they fit a client’s goals. With credentials LISW and CSW-PIP (IA LISW 01284, SD CSW-PIP 3229), Mary offers a steady, empathic presence for people facing intense emotions or major life shifts.

Her aim is to help clients strengthen resilience, improve relationships, and move toward meaningful change at a pace that feels manageable.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Support

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and adjust unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, building practical coping skills for issues like anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and mood disorders. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, empathic therapeutic relationship where people can explore feelings and values at their own pace, which supports healing from trauma, grief, and self-esteem struggles. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness that can be especially useful for managing intense emotions, impulsivity, and patterns of conflict.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the clinician works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods and goals fit best. Together they review concerns, preferences, and practical needs to shape an individualized plan rather than assuming a single technique will be used exclusively.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it possible to access consistent care from home or elsewhere, support continued progress during life transitions, and allow regular skill practice between synchronous meetings.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

Mary works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, and intimacy-related issues, plus many related topics such as body image and communication problems.

What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?

Sessions emphasize a compassionate, collaborative approach that incorporates client-centered principles and evidence-informed techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy when helpful.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

Mary brings three decades of professional experience to her practice, working with long-term emotional challenges and life transitions.

Where is the therapist licensed and what are the credentials?

She is licensed in Iowa with credentials LISW and CSW-PIP, listed as IA LISW 01284 and SD CSW-PIP 3229.

Are sessions offered in languages other than English or to international clients?

Services are provided in English, and the therapist is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for remote work?

Mary offers several remote formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.

How is payment handled and what does therapy cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to start working with this therapist?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling an appointment according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

AddictionsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shame Impulsivity Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSelf-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

Iowa, South Dakota

Languages

English