Sivi Ruder, PsyD

Clinical Supervisor

I became a licensed clinical psychologist by way of leading wilderness trips with teenagers and adults; teaching English in alternative and comprehensive high schools; graduate training in psychology at Meridian University and Ryokan College; and subsequent internships in Sonoma County at Lomi Psychotherapy Clinic, Chrysalis Community Counseling Services, West County High School Outreach Therapy, Hospice of Petaluma, and Memorial Hospice. I now have a private practice in Sebastopol, where I work with individual tweens, teens, and adults, as well as families, chosen family, and 2+ clients—in need of relationship support.  

The foundation of my therapeutic approach is based entirely upon being in connection with and curious about clients. My work is most informed by Attachment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches. Interested in the existential, mystic, and esoteric, I use mindfulness practices, informed by many spiritual practices and lineages. Ancestrally and culinarily Jewish, I use secular Talmudic questioning. As a former English teacher, I find metaphors to be immensely helpful, and I use metaphor, literature, music, film, history, comparative religions, and mythology in my work, always striving to connect clients’ unique experience to our larger lineage of humanity.

Education

Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, Ryokan College

M.A. Psychology, Meridian University

B.A. Comparative Literature & Creative Writing, Goddard College