We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ruth Schettini. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ruth below.

Ruth, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Starting my own practice felt like an impulsive, spur of the moment, random act. It wasn’t. It was something I had been thinking about for years, but felt too scared to actually pursue. Then it happened. I woke up one day, tired of working for a bunch of people and companies I didn’t see myself in long-term, and decided that was the day. I had just been accepted into a doctorate program and I knew I wouldn’t be able to work 40+ hours a week. So that day I sat down, googled my heart out, and established Healing Juntos Marriage & Family Therapy inc. I called a few friends right after and was in a panic because, what the heck am I supposed to do now? I’m going on three years now, and there are days where I still think that same thought. In the end? It works out. Somehow, it works out. Is it everything I wanted it to be or thought it would be? Not even remotely close. But it is a start to all of that and through the tears, the fights, the sleepless nights, long prayers and the chaos of it all, it still holds so much hope. My hope. So I will move forward, even on the days where I don’t want to. I will always encourage someone who wants to start their own business or live out their desires in their career because it is such a powerful thing to be able to have something that is yours. Something you poured yourself into- your time, money, sweat, tears and intention. If you want to do it- go for it. Don’t wait for the “right time”, because it really doesn’t exist. You will always be waiting if that is the case. Time will pass and you will tell yourself, “I wish I would have started sooner”. I always ask people if they can live with their “what if”. Can you?

Ruth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Ruth Schettini and I am a licensed Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT). I work with Spanish Speaking, first generation and Latina women and I am a Christian therapist. I work with a variety of individuals and I love what I do. It is a privilege and an honor to be able to hear every individuals story and be able to walk alongside them. I have been trained in several modalities, but my favorite one is SERT- Socio Emotional Relationship Therapy. It lets the client and therapist dive into how culture and upbringing impact an individual and how it gives shape to their life. I have been trined in and specialize in working with the Latino population.

I was very young when I began to see mental health difficulties arise in my own family. I remember no one really could explain to me what was happening or why things were changing. The older I got, I realized that was because nobody really knew. My father is a pastor and works with mostly monolingual Spanish Speakers in the congregation. These are the people I grew up with and, although I loved them and they loved me, they just didn’t have the resources to understand what was happening themselves. As I began to think of the career path I wanted to take, I remember wanting to learn and make myself accessible to those around me. I wanted to be a resource in my community and for my community. That is what led me to, not just becoming a therapist, but doing so at the doctoral level- I want to still be that accessible resource. I work with individuals, I volunteer with certain nonprofits, I give classes and lectures at community events and in churches in both English and Spanish. One of my biggest sources of pride is being able to give back to and be part of a solution within my community.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn to stay quiet. I believe Latino culture asks for women to be small, quite, kept to themselves… demure. I have learned that thinking like this has harmed our people more than helped them. I have learned to use my voice. My voice is loud, harmonious, strong, powerful. Meant to be heard. I won’t stay quiet and I will not be silenced as so many before me have been.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I believe the openness and the want to learn has to be there if you want to succeed in this field. We don’t know everything and we never will. You have to be willing to soak up more. There are a million different things to learn every single day and, working with people, you are always going to learn something new.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://healingjuntos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healing_juntos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Healingjuntos
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ruth-schettini-dmft-lmft-122305192/
• Twitter: @healing_juntos

Image Credits

@throughheidislens
@mirifloresphotography