About
Ruby Menchaca, MS, LCMHCA
Contract Therapist
A little background information about myself: I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate. Although I loved my job as an elementary school teacher, my role as a military wife forced me to relocate across the country, which ultimately led me down my current career path. Being a military wife I have had to face deployments, build new relationships, and had to adapt to new cities.
I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients, teenage, college students and adult clients who are seeking support in handling life stressors such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, and ADHD. I have been introduced to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Processing Therapy. These modalities include mindfulness, thought replacement, emotion regulation, and other skills used to help individuals become the best version of themselves.
I have recently been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, I am trained by the EMDR Institute, Inc., founded by Dr. Francine Shapiro. The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline (2004) has stated that SSRI's, CBT, and EMDR are recommended as first-line treatments of trauma. Most recently, the World Health Organization (2013) has stated that trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are the only evidence-based psychotherapies recommended for children, adolescents, and adults with trauma.
There is no perfect modality to fit a person’s needs perfectly, so I will work with you to find techniques that fit your beliefs and needs. I believe counseling should be a safe, comfortable, and welcoming place that fosters growth in becoming the best version of yourself. Through the counseling process, we will work together in turning the lemons life throws at us and learn how to make something that resembles lemonade. I am glad you are wanting to become the best version of yourself. I am here for you.
“There’s no lemon so sour that you can’t make something resembling lemonade.” (This is Us)
Experience
Therapist’s Qualifications and Clinical Background
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA). I recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. My education is something I am proud of and have utilized as a mechanism to help others. I originally started my career as an educator. I taught elementary school students in Southern California for a little over 4 years.