Ruth Stoan, LPC
Compassionate counselor helping people change
Details
| Name | Ruth Stoan |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LPC |
| Based in | Missouri |
| Licensed in | Missouri |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 35 |
About Ruth
Ruth Stoan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 35 years of experience helping people make meaningful change. She speaks plainly and works with people who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about the next step. Ruth emphasizes practical progress while honoring each person's story.
She has a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Over the years she has worked in independent practice, community agencies, and care facilities, and she has supported people facing grief, addictions, relationship strain, stress, and life transitions.
Background and approach
Ruth also supports those navigating LGBT concerns and career or caregiving stress. Ruth blends narrative ideas with acceptance and mindfulness tools to help clients identify patterns that limit them. Sessions often include skill building such as breath work, relaxation, and imagery to manage anxiety and boost everyday coping.
She helps people set clear goals and practice new habits between meetings. Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. Ruth prefers video sessions so people can connect, but she also offers phone, live chat, and text-based messaging when that fits better.
She aims to be a steady advocate while people work through both immediate troubles and deeper patterns. People who want a therapist who listens, asks practical questions, and offers concrete tools often connect well with Ruth. She encourages gradual change, tapping strengths and reducing old habits that get in the way of a fuller life.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem among the things Ruth works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Somatic Therapy: Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Ruth among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Ruth directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Ruth directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and ACT work in online sessions
Ruth blends Narrative Therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and client-centered principles to help people rewrite unhelpful stories about themselves. Narrative Therapy focuses on separating a person from the problem and finding alternative stories; it can help with issues like shame, family of origin patterns, and feeling stuck. ACT helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while building a life based on their values; it is useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes.Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. Ruth listens to your goals and tries interventions that fit your preferences and daily life. She will check in about what helps, adapt methods over time, and involve skill practice between sessions when that supports progress.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different needs. Video is useful for deeper conversations and visual connection, phone works well if bandwidth is limited, live chat and text messaging are handy for quick check-ins or brief coaching-style support. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or travel while keeping consistent therapeutic work.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Ruth commonly address?
Ruth works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, and career or caregiving stress. She also helps with ADHD-related struggles, self-esteem, and life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. She uses narrative ideas alongside mindfulness and practical exercises to help people change habits and feel more in control.
What is her professional background?
Ruth holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has 35 years of experience in independent practice, community agencies, and care facilities.
Where is Ruth licensed and located?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri and practices from that state.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What formats are available for sessions?
Ruth provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. She often prefers video to help build connection but offers other formats as needed.
How is payment handled and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Ruth are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Ruth where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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