Pediatric and Perinatal Psychotherapist    |   Licensed in Washington, DC (Telehealth & In-Person)

My name is Ruthie (she/her), and I have served as Director of Arbit Counseling for the past eight years. I am a pediatric, perinatal, and infant mental health therapist with nearly fifteen years of clinical experience, and I am deeply committed to supporting individuals and families throughout their preconception, perinatal, and parenting journeys. Outside of my work, I am a proud mother to four strong willed children and one very gentle black Labrador, Ray Ray.

Over the course of my career, I have worked in a wide range of settings, including schools, a therapeutic nursery, a domestic violence shelter, early intervention programs, and hospital systems. I currently serve as both a clinician and clinical faculty member at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital within the Department of Psychiatry, where I teach, write, and contribute to ongoing research in perinatal and pediatric mental health.

My clinical background is intentionally diverse. I have trained in multiple therapeutic modalities and tailor my approach based on the needs of each patient and the context in which I am working. My writing has been featured in respected publications such as The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post. I have also presented at major conferences and events, including the Postpartum Support International Conference, Mayor Bowser’s Maternal and Infant Health Summit, and the Marcé of North America Perinatal Mental Health Conference.

In addition to my clinical and research work, I teach specialized courses for professionals, including CBT for the Perinatal Period and CBT and ERP for Perinatal OCD. My course on Perinatal OCD was the first comprehensive national training dedicated to this topic. I also serve on the board of the Washington, DC chapter of Postpartum Support International, where I help advance education, advocacy, and access to care for families in our community.

Approach

My therapy style is eclectic and founded on principles of self-compassion and resilience. Parenting my own 4 children gives me deeper insight into myself and my notions of parenthood. I try to use warmth, empathy, and humor in my work and my everyday life.

• Certification in the DIR/Floor-time Model

• Certification in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies

• Certification in SPACE (Yale Child Study Center)

• Certification in Maternal Mental Health

• Trained in Exposure and Response Prevention

• Trained in Animal-Assisted Play Therapy

• Trained in Lactation Support

• Registered "Circle of Security" Parent Facilitator

• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, Alumna (2023)