Ivy Ruths, PhD

Education

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Houston

M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of Houston

B.A. in Psychology, University of Texas at Austin

Specialized Training

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) - for childhood anxiety, OCD, and ARFID

International OCD Foundation Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI)

Integrated Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents (ITCT-A)

An Intense Clinical Approach to Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)

Child Adult Relationship Enhancement Training (CARE)

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Memberships

Houston Psychological Association (HPA) - Director at Large, President (2022)

Texas Psychological Association (TPA)

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

OCD Texas, An IOCDF Affiliation 

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

License Numbers

Licensed Psychologist #36338

Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) - PSYPACT Commission

APIT: 13718

Link to CV

Ivy Ruths, PhD

Founder; Clinical Director; Licensed Psychologist
Supervised by:
Areas of Speciality:

Anxiety, OCD, phobias, body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), children, families in transition, parental support for children and teens with anxiety or OCD

Years in Practice:
18+

Education

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Houston

M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of Houston

B.A. in Psychology, University of Texas at Austin

Specialized Training

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) - for childhood anxiety, OCD, and ARFID

International OCD Foundation Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI)

Integrated Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents (ITCT-A)

An Intense Clinical Approach to Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)

Child Adult Relationship Enhancement Training (CARE)

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Memberships

Houston Psychological Association (HPA) - Director at Large, President (2022)

Texas Psychological Association (TPA)

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

OCD Texas, An IOCDF Affiliation 

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

No items found.

Dr. Ivy Ruths is the founder of Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center. She is a licensed  clinical psychologist extensively trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy  and your biggest cheerleader. She's honored to be part of your journey toward swapping fear for freedom.

Every day in her practice, she supports individuals and families as they do the hard things they once thought impossible. She creates a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for children, teens, adults, and parents who are ready to embrace uncertainty and do the work of taking their lives back.

Specializing in anxiety, OCD, and phobias, Dr. Ruths tailors treatment to each person rather than following a script. For some clients that means gradually facing frightening situations or challenging negative, hopeless thoughts, until they lose their grip. For others, like those struggling with skin picking or hair pulling, it means a more targeted, habit-focused approach. She also draws on mindfulness and values-based work to help clients build a life that feels like their own, and she's trained extensively in hands-on techniques that help parents support a child or teen through anxiety or OCD. She sees clients in both English and Spanish, and also works with children and adults navigating perfectionism or the stress of divorce or separation.

Outside of work, Ivy loves reading and writing; if she wasn't a psychologist, she'd be a writer. She also enjoys volunteering, spending time with her two daughters, her husband, and her extended family (they're Puerto Rican, Nigerian, and Mexican — they have a lot of fun!).

Interested in working with Ivy Ruths, PhD?

Book Your First Session

Blog Posts by Ivy Ruths, PhD

Understanding OCD: An Introductory Guide to Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is still one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders.

Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

When anxiety becomes overwhelming you might actually be experiencing symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Understanding Anxiety Disorders: When your brain and body’s internal alarm system is going off…. over and over again

Understanding how anxiety works is the key to breaking free of anxiety’s hold – and living the life you’ve always wanted. 

Ivy Ruths, PhD

Founder; Clinical Director; Licensed Psychologist
Supervised by:
Areas of Speciality:

Anxiety, OCD, phobias, body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), children, families in transition, parental support for children and teens with anxiety or OCD

Years in Practice:
18+

Dr. Ivy Ruths is the founder of Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center. She is a licensed  clinical psychologist extensively trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy  and your biggest cheerleader. She's honored to be part of your journey toward swapping fear for freedom.

Every day in her practice, she supports individuals and families as they do the hard things they once thought impossible. She creates a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for children, teens, adults, and parents who are ready to embrace uncertainty and do the work of taking their lives back.

Specializing in anxiety, OCD, and phobias, Dr. Ruths tailors treatment to each person rather than following a script. For some clients that means gradually facing frightening situations or challenging negative, hopeless thoughts, until they lose their grip. For others, like those struggling with skin picking or hair pulling, it means a more targeted, habit-focused approach. She also draws on mindfulness and values-based work to help clients build a life that feels like their own, and she's trained extensively in hands-on techniques that help parents support a child or teen through anxiety or OCD. She sees clients in both English and Spanish, and also works with children and adults navigating perfectionism or the stress of divorce or separation.

Outside of work, Ivy loves reading and writing; if she wasn't a psychologist, she'd be a writer. She also enjoys volunteering, spending time with her two daughters, her husband, and her extended family (they're Puerto Rican, Nigerian, and Mexican — they have a lot of fun!).

No items found.

Education

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Houston

M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of Houston

B.A. in Psychology, University of Texas at Austin

Specialized Training

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) - for childhood anxiety, OCD, and ARFID

International OCD Foundation Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI)

Integrated Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents (ITCT-A)

An Intense Clinical Approach to Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)

Child Adult Relationship Enhancement Training (CARE)

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Memberships

Houston Psychological Association (HPA) - Director at Large, President (2022)

Texas Psychological Association (TPA)

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

OCD Texas, An IOCDF Affiliation 

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Link to CV

Interested in working with Ivy Ruths, PhD?

Book Your First Session

Blog Posts by Ivy Ruths, PhD

How to Find an OCD Specialist (And Why It Matters)

Not all therapists are equipped to treat OCD. Here's how to find one who actually can—and why specialized training makes all the difference.

Don’t Let Perfect Be the Enemy of Good: Understanding and Overcoming Perfectionism

Quite often clients tell me, “I just want to do it right.” Sometimes they mean right as in correct. Other times they mean right as in flawless. And quite often what I observe is that perfectionism is hiding behind the idea of “doing it right.”

Breaking the Cycle: Managing Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)

BFRBS are more than just habits—they are complex conditions that require understanding and structured intervention.