Katherine Ruiz MA, LMFT

We asked our marriage counselors a few questions about their work so you can get to know them a little better. Read Katherine’s answers below.

What do you enjoy about being a marriage counselor?

I love getting to lead people through the process of change. Whether it’s an individual or couple, the people I work with are unhappy with a significant relationship in their life. They want something better, but don’t know how to make it different. As a result, I am able to give people a new picture to cling to, something that feels inspiring to work towards. I love that I get to provide hope to couples who are stuck and can’t see the hope themselves.

What approach do you use in couples counseling?

I tend to do a lot of teaching. Our goal at Keystone Counseling is to show people how to build healthy relationships. The specific topics are different for each couple, but the principles of health are the same. In the counseling sessions, we work together to build that foundational knowledge. I like helping my clients develop the skills they need to build a relationship they find ultimately more fulfilling.

During this process, we keep the discussions small enough that they don’t feel overwhelming. With this approach, my clients feel more confident about applying the changes at home. As we move along, the couple is able to look back and take pride in their work, seeing how those small steps have added up to foundational shifts in their relationship.

What are you most proud of in your work?

I am particularly good at connecting on a personal level with couples. Many of the people I’ve worked with tell me they feel very comfortable with me even though we’re dealing with difficult topics. I enjoy helping people feel safe in discussions that have always been painful in the past.

In my work as a marriage counselor, I also do particularly well working with intercultural relationships, be it socioeconomic, ethnic, or religion. Every relationship has to go through the process of molding two personalities into one relationship unit. In an intercultural relationship, an extra layer of blending has to take place. I enjoy helping couples figure out how to fit together these diverse areas of their lives.

What are your credentials as a marriage therapist?

My credentials include:

• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist through the state of Indiana
• Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Indiana Wesleyan University
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Park University
• Member of the Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• AAMFT Approved Supervisor
• Adjunct Professor for Marriage & Family Therapy at Indiana Weslyan University
• PREPARE / ENRICH trained for premarital couples