Ruth Tekeste Dicks, NCC

Hi, I’m so glad you’re here! My name is Ruth Tekeste Dicks, and I’m a Nationally Board Certified Counselor. I’m a Chicago native born to Eritrean immigrants, so I know what it is to juggle very different cultural identities. As a counselor and former educator in diverse settings (private practice and urban and suburban high schools and graduate schools), I’ve closely supported teens and adults with anxiety, depression, life transitions, low self-esteem, trauma, sexual abuse, grief, those who are pregnant and parenting, in immigrant families, part of the LGTBQUIA+ community, and more.  

It is too easy to be overwhelmed with life’s challenges and everything you feel you “should” be doing.  At your pace and without judgment, we will process your family history and trauma, unpack patterns in your relationships and life, and understand their effects on your day-to-day. We’ll explore the connections between your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and triggers so you can make positive changes to heal and move toward peace, balance, and joy. I will support you in gently facing those truths too difficult to face alone and practicing the power of positive thinking, gratitude, and being kinder to yourself. 

Through therapy sessions,  you will learn a lot about yourself and (re)discover holistic coping tools that tap into your strengths and build you up.  Sometimes we’ll laugh and sometimes we’ll cry. I will be with you every step of the way uplifting, encouraging, and empowering you to set boundaries, communicate more assertively, take better care of yourself, and move with more intention. You will be able to envision things for yourself that you perhaps could not before so you can live your best life! 

I graciously invite you to share your full world with me. I will see and honor all parts of your identity, and help you do the same. I like to utilize a mix of mindfulness, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and acceptance and commitment therapies, but I will tailor my approach to best meet your unique needs. I approach therapy from an accepting; feminist; multicultural;  antiracist; antioppressive;  and LGTBQUIA+, kink, and poly-affirming lens,  and welcome you whatever your cultural background, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation. I look forward to partnering with you on your wellness journey as you heal, rise, soar!