- Depression and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- CBT and DBT methods
About Mary
Mary Ruhland is an Iowa-licensed therapist (LISW) with 30 years of clinical experience. She focuses on problems such as depression, anxiety, trauma and grief, and she lists life purpose among her areas of work. Mary commonly helps people dealing with self-esteem struggles, panic attacks, addictions, and compassion fatigue.
She tends to work in a straightforward, person-focused way that centers the client's concerns. Sessions often look at patterns that keep people stuck, such as attachment wounds, control issues, or isolation. Mary also addresses practical problems like communication breakdowns and intimacy-related issues.
Her approach draws on several evidence-based methods to match the client's needs. She uses Client-Centered techniques to follow what the person brings, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotional regulation and impulse control. Emotionally-Focused ideas and the Gottman Method inform her thinking about relationship patterns and rebuilding connection.
Mary works with people navigating life transitions, including midlife changes and divorce or separation. She also helps with body image, eating concerns, guilt and shame, and the effects of past abuse or post-traumatic stress. Her practice pays attention to both mood symptoms and the day-to-day difficulties they cause.
Sessions are conducted in English and Mary is based in Iowa. The fee structure varies by location and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session.
How her approaches translate to online work
Mary uses Client-Centered Therapy to listen closely to what each person brings and to shape sessions around their concerns. This approach helps when someone needs space to talk through confusion about work, relationships, or life purpose. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes, useful for anxiety, panic attacks, and mood concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills for managing intense emotions and impulsivity, which can help with anger, addiction urges, and overwhelming stress.Choosing the right approach is part of the collaborative process. Mary will work with the person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences, and she adjusts techniques as progress and feedback make the next steps clearer.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, require less travel, and allow for shorter check-ins when time is limited. They also let people use methods like CBT worksheets, DBT skills practice, and emotionally-focused discussions in a way that integrates into daily life rather than requiring major schedule changes.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Iowa, South Dakota
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What types of concerns does she address?
She works with depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, addictions, and compassion fatigue among other issues.
How would she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
She combines Client-Centered listening with CBT and DBT tools to identify patterns, manage emotions, and try new behaviors that fit the person's goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Mary has 30 years of experience working as a therapist in clinical settings and private practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LISW and CSW-PIP credentials and practices in Iowa.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start if I want to work with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.