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Clinicians
Ivy Ruths, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
"I love being a witness to how willingness, dedication, and effort can transform lives. I will be your guide, your biggest supporter, and cheerleader as you engage in the hard work that will free you from fear."
Ivy Ruths is passionate about helping individuals and families change their lives for the better by utilizing treatments that work. She prides herself in the relationships she builds with her patients and is committed to partnering with individuals as they reach their goals.
Dr. Ruths earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English from the University of Texas at Austin and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston. She is the owner and director of Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center.
Her graduate clinical work and research focused on the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders, primarily Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Trichotillomania.
Her pre-doctoral internship was completed within the Psychological Services Department in the Houston Independent School District where she provided crisis intervention and completed comprehensive psychological and academic evaluations to children of all ages.
Dr. Ruths completed her postdoctoral fellowship at DePelchin’s Children’s Center where she received training in Trauma-Focused CBT and treated children ages 3 to 18 with a broad range of presenting problems, as well as provided evaluations for unaccompanied immigrant minor children.
Before opening Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center, Dr. Ruths worked at the OCD Institute of Houston (previously the Houston OCD Program) treating severe OCD and anxiety disorders on a residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient level. In 2017, Dr. Ruths transitioned into part-time private practice while working full time as the Middle School Counselor at a prestigious Houston area private school. Dr. Ruths has significant personal and professional experience helping students, parents, and families navigate through the Houston area private school community.
Dr. Ruths completed intensive training from the International OCD Foundation Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) in 2016 and became BTTI certified in 2017. Dr. Ruths became a trained SPACE provider in 2020. In 2022, she served as the president of The Houston Psychological Association and has served on the OCD Texas board in various positions since 2018 (currently Vice President). She often speaks at local and national conference on anxiety, OCD, BFRBs, and parenting.
Dr. Ruths is bilingual and provides cognitive-behavioral therapy in both Spanish and English. She is PsyPact certified and provides telehealth in all 34 PsyPact approved states.
Allison Leibman, Counseling Intern
As a counseling intern at The Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center, Allison Leibman will see clients under the direct supervision of Dr. Ivy Ruths. Allison is in her final year of graduate school receiving a Masters in Education in Clinical Mental Health at the University of Houston. A native Houstonian, Allison graduated from St. John's School and completed her Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University. Prior to graduate school, Allison taught yoga to adults and high school students which ignited her desire to understand the mind-body connection and to explore the benefits of mindfulness.
Additionally, Allison served as a crisis text counselor during the pandemic which opened her eyes to the vast and immediate mental health needs for both adults and children.
In addition to her education and training, Allison has a practical application by being a mother to three unique children spanning in age from elementary school to high school. Allison believes in the importance of kindness and compassion in establishing and maintaining the therapeutic relationship. Her goal is to provide a safe space for her clients creating a strong foundation from which growth and progress can occur.
To learn more about Allison or to schedule an initial evaluation, email her directly at allison@houstonanxiety.com.
Joshua Garcia, M.S, Psychology Intern
Joshua M. Garcia is a third-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Houston (UH) and belongs to the Neuropsychology concentration. As a psychology intern at The Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center, Josh will see clients under the direct supervision of Dr. Ivy Ruths.
Josh graduated from UH with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. He was born in Dallas, Texas, grew up in Northern Virginia, and attended high school in Buenos Aires, Argentina before moving to Houston, Texas.
Over the past year, he completed therapy rotations with the UH Family Care Center and UH Southern Smoke Foundation. His experiences have inspired a career of advocacy within the interdisciplinary fields of empirically based health care, in the specific role as a cultural neuropsychologist.
To learn more about Josh or to schedule an initial evaluation, email him directly at josh@houstonanxiety.com