Families

“Ruby has worked with my son for over 10 years. My son is on the Autistic Spectrum and suffered Trauma at 5 years old. As a result, he was very apprehensive of strangers and suffered from extreme anxiety and PTSD. In addition, he has a receptive language deficit which made it difficult for him to understand a typical conversation exchange with another individual. By the end of the first session with Ruby, my son was at ease and already making a connection with her. Ruby has a way of communicating with my son that helps him make sense of the world.” Ruby breaks things down for him so he can fully grasp the concept she is trying to get across; she totally understands how he thinks and his thought process on how he lands there. When he was younger, he didn’t always understand why he felt so much anxiety. Ruby has helped him identify his feelings and has encouraged him to articulate how he is feeling and be a self-advocate. My son looks forward to his sessions with Ruby and will ask for a session if too much time goes by without one. Ruby provides a caring, supportive, safe environment for my son.”

- PG: A dedicated Mom

Ruby Salazar has been an amazing help to our family for almost fifteen years.  She has been able to help us anticipate and plan for each new stage of our son's development as he has grown from a toddler to a teenager.  Ruby has seen us through life events and family tragedy.  She has celebrated joys and successes big and small with us.  She has helped us to raise our son.

Ruby has helped us to see the big picture of the world of services for people on the autistic spectrum and of the development of our son.  Ruby has worked with our whole family to help us remain whole.

-HIB & HAM

Ruby does not shy away from asking hard questions and telling us the truth as she sees it, but she is always loving with our best interests at heart.  Because of this, we have made better decisions for our son and our family.

- HM

“I thought that we were just going to Ruby for help on behalf of our child. But, she cared about us as parents, our son’s sister and brother, and that we focus on being a healthy and balanced family. We got so much more than we expected. Thank goodness!”

- A Very Grateful Family

“Our little preschool son and his older sister and brother were lost after my wife died suddenly and unexpectedly in a car accident. I didn’t have any idea how to help my children. The pediatrician sent me-us-to Ruby. Ruby came to our house that fateful day and sensitively held us through painful grief. She stayed with us until we got stronger and would be available from time to time as we needed over time. Our children needed someone like Ruby who is tuned in, strong, and very aware. She supported us in a slow journey back to a better place as individuals and as family.”

- Bill T, a very appreciative Father

Professional Relationships

“What would Ruby do?” This has guided my decision-making in challenging moments with children and families for the past 20 years. I have been so fortunate to have Ruby as my reflective supervisor and professional mentor. No matter how complex the case, she helps me develop an insightful clinical formulation and put it into actionable steps. Ruby has played a major role in my growth as a clinician and as a person over these years. Her passion and commitment to our work never fail to inspire me. She has such a warm and affirming approach, combined with a depth in understanding of human development. My competence and confidence grow after every one of our meetings. Ruby is truly a master clinician, trainer, supervisor, and a gift to the world.”

- Steve Glazier, Psychologist

“I began reflective supervision with Ruby more than 18 years ago. As a non-mental health professional, my journey in the work of DIR was molded and informed through her support. Her warm, genuine and forthright approach allowed me to understand families, mental health dilemmas, and processes that would have otherwise been allusive to me. Not only did this work support my growth as a clinician using this developmental model, but it supported my growth as a person overall. Ruby is brilliant, insightful, thoughtful, committed, and beyond talented. I have been blessed to have her guidance all of these years.”

- Michele Ricamato, M.A. CCC-Speech and Language Pathologist

As a trusted mentor, Ruby embodies authenticity and warmth, and she is treasured beyond measure. She displays exemplary and intuitive reflective processing, intertwined with seasoned clinical skill.  Throughout the parallel process, she gently allows me to discover ways to wholly and realistically incorporate dynamics of children and their families into practice, all while integrating the comprehensive use of the DIR model. Through our reflective supervision, I uncover and learn how to navigate professional tribulations that may stall clinical work. Simultaneously, she cultivates my unique gifts within myself, contributing to my growth as a clinician. As a result, because of her formative mentorship, the relationships and lives of many children and families in my practice have remarkably, and indubitably, been transformed. 

 -Stacy Sue Rosello, MA, OTR/L Founder, Embrace the Child®, Ltd.

I first met Ruby at an ICDL bootcamp in 2008 and distinctly remember how skillfully and insightfully she gave constructive feedback to the presenting clinician. I knew then that I wanted her to be my reflective supervisor and mentor. So it began, a relationship of trust, mutual love and respect, safety, and growth, both as a DIR clinician and as a person. Ruby has had a greater and more profound influence on my growth and development in every way than anyone. She nurtured me through difficult times with challenging cases, and through difficult personal challenges. She was never afraid to speak the hard truths, knowing that the safety of the holding environment she created would support me to develop the deep insights needed to be a better person and clinician. I am honored to call her my friend. 

-Mary Dodd – IMH -E®, Clinical Mentor