Ruth Stoan, LPC

Ruth Stoan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 35 years of experience helping people find more balance and direction. She welcomes conversations about relationships, grief, stress, anxiety, life transitions, and issues related to identity and intimacy. Ruth also supports people navigating addictions, caregiver strain, and career or meaning questions.

She earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has worked in independent practice, community agencies, and care facilities. That background means she has seen a variety of life challenges and practical ways to address them. She described enjoying work with people facing aging and end-of-life questions as well as those managing family-of-origin patterns.

Ruth’s style is collaborative and down-to-earth. She helps people set goals, identify what gets in the way, and build skills to make change. Practical tools she uses include mindfulness, breath work, relaxation, imagery, and techniques aimed at shifting limiting beliefs.

In sessions Ruth blends methods from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and Existential Therapy. She balances immediate problem-solving with attention to deeper patterns that keep problems recurring. Many clients seek her out for support around jealousy and relationship concerns.

Ruth often uses video to get to know someone, but she is also available by phone and text when that feels more comfortable. She works with people in Missouri and accepts international clients; language of work is English.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Ruth uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in ways that translate well to online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on identifying values, noticing unhelpful thoughts, and taking small committed steps toward what matters. It can help with anxiety, stress, and life changes by guiding practical actions tied to personal values. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience and uses empathic listening to help them feel understood and to build confidence in their own choices.

She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) when helpful, which looks at the link between thoughts, behaviors, and emotions and uses specific exercises to change patterns. Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences and adapt techniques based on what seems most useful.

Many people find online sessions easier to fit into busy lives, as they can shorten commute time and allow scheduling during weekday breaks or evenings. Ruth has noted that video work helps establish rapport, while phone or text can be simpler for brief check-ins or when a lower-bandwidth option is preferable. Confirm available session formats before booking so you can choose what fits your routine and needs.