Dr. Ruth Wittersgreen, Clinical Psychologist

Ruth Wittersgreen received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida, graduating Magna Cum Laude, at the age of 20. Not only was she the first in her large extended family to go to college, she was the first to graduate high school. Growing up with a young, single mother, often under quite difficult circumstances, taught Ruth early to appreciate the beauty of the simple things. Life has been her most important instruction for helping others. She has learned to value relationships above all else and that joy can be found even in our darkest hours.

Following undergraduate work and a variety of jobs including substitute teaching, waitressing, and volunteering for the Red Cross in an Emergency Room, Ruth joined the United States Air Force. She then used the GI Bill to go on to graduate school, while still serving in the Air Force Reserves, where she earned awards including Airman of the Year and a nomination for the Twelve Outstanding Airman in the US Air Force, regular and reserve, for her work in creating a comprehensive health promotions program for her Wing.

In 1996, during her doctoral training at the University of South Carolina, Ruth started seeing patients/clients in the university's free clinic. Throughout her doctoral coursework and research, she was serving in the Air Force Reserves, teaching undergraduate courses, working as a teaching assistant in graduate courses, doing program evaluation at a community mental health center, and providing services in school-based mental health. Ruth did many different clinical rotations including working with oncology patients and in a rehabilitation hospital, focusing mainly on the psychological impact of amputation. Giving birth to her first child during graduate school taught Ruth the necessity of balance between work and the rest of life. She completed all requirements for the Doctorate in Philosophy in 2003.

Post-doctoral training at James Madison University brought Ruth and her family to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Following a year of residency, Ruth gained her license to independently practice psychology. Ruth continued teaching undergraduate courses including developmental psychology and human sexual behavior. She also taught a number of graduate courses including health psychology, counseling skills, and group psychotherapy. Ruth has been practicing psychotherapy full time now for eight years. She frequently engages in volunteer work, gives presentations at regional and national conferences, and has published several articles in professional, peer-reviewed journals.

Ruth currently resides and practices in two locations. In Staunton, Virginia, she lives with her two daughters, a pug, an Italian Greyhound, and a cat. When children (and pets) are spending the other half of the week with their father nearby, Ruth lives and practices in Washington, DC, where she has a rich network of colleagues and friends. Her most important source of professional support are the members of the American Academy of Psychotherapists: www.aapweb.com. In her (limited!) spare time, Ruth plays bassoon in a big band, travels, runs, and gardens. (Rarely are any two of these hobbies enjoyed in the same week, but children are only young once, and her many interests will not grow up and go away.) One of Ruth’s favorite quotes is copied below:

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt