Ruby Zarzyczny

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Arizona and Illinois, and I’ve spent my career supporting Veterans, families, and individuals navigating trauma, chronic stress, and major life transitions. My background includes work across medical social work, primary care behavioral health, trauma therapy, and community mental health. I’ve provided care in settings such as the VA, military organizations, dialysis centers, and outpatient therapy clinics, giving me a deep understanding of both complex psychosocial needs and whole‐person care.

I’m trained in evidence‐based, trauma‐focused modalities including EMDR, CPT, CBT, WET, and Warrior Renew. I value cultural humility, collaboration, and creating a therapeutic space where clients feel grounded, respected, and genuinely understood. My approach is warm, direct, and practical — blending compassion with clear, actionable support.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Family Studies and a Master’s in Social Work with a clinical concentration. I’m committed to ongoing professional development and staying aligned with best practices in trauma-informed care.

I also served, deployed, and retired from the Air Force as an enlisted servicemember. I understand the unique challenges of military life from multiple perspectives — as a service member, a deployed Airman, and a family member supporting loved ones through deployment.

My approach to therapy is trauma‐focused, collaborative, and grounded in evidence‐based practice. I work with clients in a way that is warm, direct, and practical — helping them understand the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that shape their lives while building skills that support long‐term resilience and healing. I tailor treatment to each person’s needs, integrating modalities such as EMDR, CPT, CBT, WET, TF‐CBT, and resiliency‐based interventions.

I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood. I bring curiosity, compassion, and transparency into the therapeutic relationship, and I help clients move at a pace that feels manageable while still supporting meaningful change. Whether someone is navigating trauma, chronic stress, military‐related experiences, or major life transitions, I focus on strengthening coping skills, increasing emotional regulation, and helping clients reconnect with a sense of balance and agency.

My style blends compassion with clear, actionable guidance — supporting clients in exploring their experiences while also offering structure, tools, and strategies that promote growth.

In our first session, my focus is on creating a calm, supportive environment where you feel safe, heard, and respected. I approach each client with curiosity and compassion, taking time to understand what brings you to therapy and what you hope to gain from the process. We’ll explore your current stressors, strengths, and coping strategies, and begin identifying the patterns that may be affecting your wellbeing.

I help clients slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and return to a more grounded state. Together, we’ll discuss practical tools for self‐care and emotional regulation, and I’ll offer guidance that supports you in feeling more centered and in control. My goal in the first session is for you to leave feeling understood, supported, and hopeful about the path forward.

We’ll also talk through what therapy can look like for you — pacing, goals, and the modalities that may be most helpful — so you have a clear sense of what to expect as we continue working together.