About Dr. Deborah

Dr. Deborah Rutt, PhD LCSW

The Holding Heart - Individual, Relationship Psychotherapy & Life Coaching, LLC
Intuitive Heart Services, Communication Consulting, Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator

My calling as a therapist began initially from a passion to understand personal communication, starting as speech pathologist specializing in early child development and mother-child interaction. Soon after, I embarked on a career passion to study adult relational communication -- in intimate relationships, friendships and life conversations. And then psychotherapy found me.

Now with over 25 years of service as a mental health therapist and communication consultant, I still love helping people navigate their human connection with one another in essential life relationships, as well as help people strengthen the relationship with their own self. In my work, I often fuse Western (traditional) with Eastern (nontraditional) perspectives of transformation and incorporate what we know about neurobiology, heart-brain coherence, and the energy frequencies reflected by our thoughts, beliefs and emotions. I take a practical approach to change, finding unique strategies selected from my large toolkit for each individual or couple. I support clients in developing their own meditation practice to help foster a foundation for wellness and resilient change. And as a gifted intuitive and energy worker, I often integrate readings and energy work into sessions with clients to help get to core issues for change. (See Intuitive Heart for description of these sessions.)

Formal Education

MS Masters Degree in Speech / Language Pathology from Columbia University
MSW Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Iowa
PhD in Relational Communication from the University of Iowa

Licensures

State of Washington LICSW - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
State of Colorado LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
State of Nebraska LMSW - Licensed Master of Social Work, LMHP - Licensed Mental Health Practitioner

Certifications

Certified "Back to Balance" Facilitator for Dr. Joe Dispenza's Meditation Series
CDWF - Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (past)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
Hypnosis
Theta Healing™

Memberships

State of Washington Chapter, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
State of Colorado Chapter, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Personal Notes

I began my professional life in Seattle, Washington. In 2008 I took a professional hiatus to live and work in Spain and France. Living in Europe on my own was a rare opportunity to experience other cultures and venture into sharing my skills in new ways. I returned to the U.S. in 2014, relocating to the Boulder, Colorado area. Happily, I discovered the Front Range offers such an array of ways to connect with nature, as simple as taking in a daily vista of mountain sky. I enjoy my life here with my Tibetan Terrier dog, and stay active with yoga, dancing, hiking, pickleball, and motorcycling. I love dabbling in my own artwork, photography and poetry and I'm always looking for a new venue to experience a vast array of live music from jazz to Indian ragas.

I feel grateful to work doing what I love and what seems to be my life's calling. I get to help people wherever they are on their life's journey, and now with video conferencing, wherever they live. I love having the opportunity to meet all kinds of people around the world and their unique approaches to being human. Many of us it seems we are in a vortex of change these days, both personally and globally. This can seem unsettling and yet is such a great opportunity to develop new strengths and awaken to the life we desire. I appreciate the opportunity to be of service during this time. Please do not hesitate to contact me for a free initial consultation so we can determine how I might best assist you. ~Deborah