Business Details
Transform Relationships Through Compassionate Counseling
With over four decades of experience, I have dedicated my career to helping individuals and couples navigate life's most challenging emotional landscapes. As a licensed clinical social worker and advanced certified Imago therapist, my practice is rooted in the belief that every person possesses the innate capacity for growth and transformation. My work at Georgetown University's Professional Schools and the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing has equipped me with profound insights into relationship dynamics, trauma, and spiritual integration.I specialize in guiding clients to reframe their struggles as opportunities for deeper connection, using evidence-based methodologies like Imago Relationship Therapy to foster self-awareness and relational healing. My approach emphasizes creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore vulnerabilities, uncover hidden strengths, and develop practical tools for lasting personal and interpersonal growth.
Services
Couples Counseling
Grief Counseling
Conflict Resolution
Anger Management
Marriage Preparation
Trauma Therapy
Imago Relationship Therapy
Separation Counseling
Spiritual Integration
Relationship Building
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of clinical experience in relationship and trauma therapy.
- Our practice integrates Imago Relationship Therapy with spiritual dimensions of care.
- We provide specialized counseling for interfaith and cross-cultural couples.
- Our team includes a former Georgetown University chaplain and trauma specialist.
- We accept most major insurance plans for accessible mental health care.
What people say
Transformed our marriage
Compassionate and sincere
Astute insights
Safe therapeutic space
Practical relationship tools
Services
Couples Counseling
Specialized therapy for couples navigating relationship challenges through structured communication techniques. Helps partners identify underlying issues, rebuild trust, and develop conflict resolution skills. Combines Imago Relationship Therapy with trauma-informed practices to address both current struggles and historical patterns affecting relationships.
Grief Counseling
Guided support for individuals processing grief and loss through compassionate, nonjudgmental therapeutic approaches. Focuses on helping clients acknowledge emotional pain while developing coping strategies. Integrates traditional mourning practices with modern psychological techniques to facilitate healing and emotional reintegration.
Imago Therapy
Specialized therapeutic approach addressing childhood relationship patterns impacting current relationships. Teaches clients to reclaim disowned self-aspects and repair relational ruptures. Utilizes structured dialogue techniques to foster empathy and understanding between partners in both individual and couples sessions.
Conflict Resolution
Therapeutic program addressing destructive conflict patterns and emotional regulation challenges. Focuses on identifying root causes of anger while developing compassionate communication skills. Helps clients transform reactive behaviors into constructive relationship-building practices through structured therapeutic exercises.
Spiritual Counseling
Therapeutic approach incorporating spiritual dimensions into emotional healing processes. Supports clients in exploring faith-based perspectives on relationship challenges and personal growth. Combines clinical expertise with religious understanding to address existential questions within the therapeutic framework.
People
Paul Ruffer
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Seasoned therapist with 40+ years of experience specializing in relationship therapy and trauma recovery. Former Georgetown University chaplain and Wendt Center trauma specialist. Certified Imago therapist since 2006, focusing on integrating spiritual dimensions with clinical practice.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you specialize in?
I specialize in Imago Relationship Therapy, trauma-informed care, and spiritually integrated counseling, combining these approaches to address relationship challenges and emotional growth.
Do you accept insurance for counseling sessions?
Yes, I accept most major insurance plans to make mental health services accessible to clients seeking relationship and trauma therapy.
How do you handle cross-cultural relationship counseling?
I provide specialized counseling for interfaith and cross-cultural couples, focusing on understanding diverse perspectives and building mutual respect through structured communication techniques.
What experience do you have with trauma therapy?
With 16 years at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing and experience during the 9/11 crisis, I offer trauma-informed therapy for individuals and couples navigating complex emotional challenges.
How long are counseling sessions?
Sessions typically last 50 minutes, with initial consultations and specialized sessions sometimes requiring additional time based on client needs.
Do you offer remote counseling options?
I provide both in-person sessions at my Washington, DC and New York offices, with telehealth options available for clients in licensed states.
