About Ruaa J.

“As a couple and family therapist, I support couples and families that feel the heavy weight of the daily demands of life that drain precious energy and strain relationships. My clients know that they are The Leader in their journey, and my role is to act as a guide for them along the way. My clients would say that they feel a good balance of  “comfortable” and “challenged” in our sessions together and that our work is collaborative. I challenge my clients to reach beyond their comfort zone while respecting their limits. 

In addition to offering my clients empathy, validation, a judgment free & safe space, I empower them to tap into their strengths to achieve change and healing. I believe everyone has a unique story, and I help clients navigate their narratives, challenge perspectives, and create new stories and outlooks. While talk therapy is my primary method for therapy, I also utilize play therapy and expressive therapies. 

My favorite part of being a therapist is watching my clients welcome new perspectives, encourage self-reflection, and introduce new methods for coping and self-expression. I work best with clients who are noticing that conflicts in their relationships are spilling into other areas of their life, navigating the treacherous waters of parenting, are trying to learn how to live with their mental health diagnosis and symptoms, and those trying to establish an identity and self-esteem that will help them hold their head a bit higher.

My colleagues trust me with the challenging cases they don’t feel as confident in working with, knowing that I have experience in working with clients who have experienced profound grief & loss, are living with severe and persistent mental illness, those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, various traumas, and working with refugee families.

 I relate to my clients who experience feelings of marginalization, oppression, and internalized conflict. As the daughter of immigrant parents and as a first generation Palestinian American, I have navigated the challenges that come with having a bi-cultural identity. Like many of my clients, I, too, have experienced the impact of loving someone with a mental health diagnosis and understand the unique difficulties it brings to the family system. These experiences have ignited a passion in me for social justice, human rights advocacy, and challenging the stigma around mental health.

I have a masters degree in social work, and I am a fully licensed clinical social worker in Illinois. I am currently in the PhD program at Adler University for couple and family therapy. I am bi-lingual in English/Arabic. 

To me, this work is more of a calling than a job. In addition to seeing clients in the therapy office, I provide mental health education at public events, lead community workshops, provide clinical programs for at risk populations, and facilitate support and therapy groups. I enjoy supporting other therapists’ growth and development through supervision.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending quality time with my toddler daughter who lights up my world, drinking coffee and trying out new cafes in the city, volunteering in my cultural community & making social advocacy change, binge watching a good television show, journaling, reflecting, reading, learning and enjoying time with friends and family.”

“I, too, have experienced the impact of loving someone with a mental health diagnosis and understand the unique difficulties it brings to the family system."

- Ruaa Jaber, LCSW. (Ruh-‘uh Jabber)(she/her/hers)

Ruaa is a fully licensed therapist at Empower Family Therapy. She has completed her Master of Arts in Social Work, and is currently working toward her Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Couple & Family Therapy. Ruaa has years of clinical experience and is receiving supervision under Tina Shrader, LMFT, founder of Empower Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Illinois.

To schedule an appointment with Ruaa, contact us and mention her name.

Ruaa’s Specialties Include:

  • Severe & Persistent Mental Illness

  • Cultural/Social Justice/Identity Issues

  • Relationship Changes: New parents, New relationships, Pre-marital/newly married couples

  • Sexuality Issues

  • Traumas, Grief, & Loss

  • Suicidal or Self-Harming Clients & Their Families

  • Women's Issues (gender/fertility/relational/aging/health)