MHAYSIE RUIZ, MA

Dear Parents and Guardians of St. Brendan Parish School,
 
I would like to welcome everyone to a new and exciting school year and introduce myself as St. Brendan's School Counselor this 2023-2024 academic year - very excited to join the St. Brendan family! I express my enthusiasm to working with you and your child this year, and will make every effort to ensure your child receives as much person assistance to express themselves outside of a classroom setting.
 
Through my many years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, I am always inspired by the look on someone's face when they made a connection, if even just for a moment. The fascination of these "moments" guided me through college and graduate school. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA License # MFT 127102) with years of clinical experience working in the mental health field and received most of my training working with at-risk communities. I graduated with distinction from Golden Gate University with a Masters in Psychology (concentration on Marriage, Family and Child Therapy). Prior to this accomplishment, I received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a clinical emphasis, and a minor in Child Development from the University of California, San Diego. In addition to providing therapy at Holy Angels School, I conducted psychological and career assessments to Muscat Scholar students at the University of San Francisco as their "Success Plan Coach." Also co-led educational seminars for T.E.A.M, Therapist Educators and Motivators focused on Parent Empowerment, Bullying & Cyber Bullying, Academic Performance, and Family Involvement. In July 2010, I was honored with an invitation to the Oxford Symposium in School-Based Family Counseling and co-presented at the annual conference in Hong Kong. I am also a volunteer for northern California's Special Olympics through San Francisco Unified School District.
 
As a Bay Area local, my husband and I are blessed with two children. My son graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep ('23) and will attend Syracuse University. My daughter also attends St. Ignatius, but still has a few years to go. I'm a high school and college Mama!!! As a parent, I can certainly identify with the enjoyment and pressure of parenting. I truly recognize the sacrifices parents carry out in managing particular circumstances. My purpose as the School Counselor is to work collaboratively with the educators of St. Brendan School. You are the most influential role model for child(ren). Together we can enrich a student's education experience, focusing on interests and issues related to the stages of student growth within the areas of academics, spiritual formation, personal and social development, and familial support.
 
My therapeutic approach is a combination of "Person-Centered" and "Strength-Based." The student - their needs, interests, and passions are the center; parents, teachers/ administrators and other service providers embrace the circle support around the student. I focus on your child's strengths rather than emphasizing their weaknesses because it's about noticing potential and appreciating what your child can do with a belief in their ability to grow and thrive.
 
Participating in counseling services allows your child the chance to interact in individual sessions and/or group activities. I am looking forward to providing counseling services for your child and family. The collaborative unit of parent, child, teacher and counselor adds a positive impact on the child's academic, behavioral, and mental health development and truly makes a difference in your child's success in the classroom. Working together, I am confident we will have a successful year together. 
 
I look forward to working together with your family this year,
 
Mhaysie Ruiz
LMFT, School Counselor

mruiz@stbrendansf.com