Hello!

My name is Ruth Christine Dimagmaliw, but you can call me “Ruth” or “Ruthie.” I’m a second-generation Filipina-American born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, deeply rooted in the values of community, resilience, and storytelling passed down from my immigrant parents. Growing up in a predominantly Filipino community, I found connection and expression through traditional folk dancing—from childhood performances at my local church to college presentations at Pilipino Cultural Night (known as Pilipino Cultural Celebration at my alma mater).

My cultural upbringing instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of collective care, which shaped my passion for amplifying the voices of underrecognized communities. During college, I worked to foster spaces of belonging and advocated for resources that were often out of reach for students like me. This passion helped propel my career in the nonprofit sector, where I worked in philanthropy, education, and mental health to create and manage programs designed to uplift these communities. While I loved the systemic outcomes of program management, I realized the true impact lay in the stories of the people I served. Like many other therapists of color, I became a therapist to empower my community.

As a therapist, I believed I could help others one story at a time while staying true to my introverted self. I envisioned creating intimate spaces where I could bring my best, most authentic self. But that quickly changed when I started working in a nonprofit working with vulnerable, underrecognized communities. I had the same heart I did going into grad school, centering advocacy and organizing in ways that uplifted my clients. But I also had a toxic supervisor throughout my associateship, which ultimately impacted the way I showed up for myself and my clients.

I shed tears. I was gaslighted and berated. I even sought therapy because of her. When I placed firm boundaries and refused to hold space for her, she attacked my character rather than holding herself accountable. That experience stayed with me, and I vowed that once I got licensed, I become the kind of supervisor I wish I’d had.

Fast forward to my role as a clinical supervisor in an educational nonprofit. Being the only supervisor of color, I saw shit I couldn’t bear to see. Racism and oppression at all fronts among school staff, students, and company-level leaders. Burnt out clinicians holding the weight of their clients, school staff, and communities. Performative leaders protecting the bottom line rather than getting to know the communities they served. All of this weighed on me as I was upheld as a martyr for a predominantly BIPOC therapist team.

I left my job and took a leap of faith to start my own practice knowing those systems weren’t made for therapists like me. BIPOC therapists constantly get into the field wanting to uplift their communities, but are often left in an endless cycle of oppression. I now dedicate myself to addressing systemic wounds, empowering individuals, and strengthening communities. My practice isn’t just for clients. It’s also for therapists ready to step into their power, achieve licensure, and create impactful change.

When I’m not working with clients or mentoring therapists, you’ll often find me out in the community as the Community Engagement Director for Therapinxy fostering connections and expanding my knowledge on resources for the Filipino/x/a community. Whether it’s through workshops, collaborations, or building networks of care, my passion for collective healing and empowerment continues to guide my work both inside and outside my practice.