Ruth Swartwood, PhD, LP

Pronouns

She/Her

Education

• BA, Hamline University (2005)

• MA, University of Minnesota (2009)

• PhD, University of Minnesota (2014)

Services Offered

• Psychological Testing

• Clinical Supervision

Ages I Work With

• 18+

My Approach to Care

I work from a sex positive, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and gender-affirming framework. I frequently integrate concepts from non-violent communication (NVC) and, more generally, humanistic thought into my work. I frequently provide training for professionals seeking to better understand the process of diagnosing autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. I also provide clinical supervision for a variety of practitioners on the path toward licensure.

Areas of Specialization

I specialize in applied ethics, sexuality and gender issues, grief and bereavement, and neurodevelopmental differences.

My Decolonized/Anti-Oppressive Lens

A decolonized lens recognizes that biases, western cultural values, and oppressive practices have contributed to the development of the field psychology. This impact persists today, and for this reason I strive to ensure appointments are collaborative and that cultural values and identities are discussed throughout the appointment. I work to make sure processes and tasks are transparent and barriers to care are discussed and removed whenever possible.

What I Hope Clients Feel After Working With Me

Individuals often feel a range of emotions after completing a psychological testing appointment. Because of the activities involved in testing, folks often feel a little tired after the appointment! Folks can also feel relieved, worried about feeling seen and heard, or eager to hear the final results. While many individuals come to testing with a preliminary idea of what diagnosis(es) they may have or hope to have, please know that I cannot guarantee any particular outcome.

What I can promise is that I will listen to you carefully to learn about your history and current experiences. I will also want to hear from someone who knows you well to understand their perspective on your testing question. At the end of our testing process, we will have a final meeting where we will review all of your testing results and discuss diagnoses and recommendations for intervention/support. Regardless of whether or not you receive the diagnosis you initially asked about, I can promise you will learn a lot about your mental health symptoms and the way your brain uniquely processes information.

Why I Chose This Work

I was 16 when I stumbled across an early edition of psychologist Carl Rogers’ “Client-Centered Therapy” at a used bookstore. I read a quarter of the book at lake Bde Maka Ska before going home. I was so impressed by Rogers’ view of humans: that we are naturally inclined toward growth, though so often the stressors of life become barriers to our progress. Rogers framed the value of therapy through human connection; that being accurately understood can promote healing to help us move beyond those barriers, and back toward a path of growth. Sixteen-year-old me thought this was mind-blowing! Rogers helped me to better understand myself and the way humans can provide meaningful support to each other. I can’t think of any other way I’d rather spend my days.

What I Enjoy Outside of Work

When I am not at work, I enjoy trying new vegan recipes, strolling through museums, tending to my ever-increasing number of indoor plants, and looking at the stars with my family and two dogs (great dane Willow and chihuahua Maisie).

My Favorite Quote

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”

― Fred Rogers