Ginkgo Leaf is still responding to the emergency in Asheville, NC. We will be resuming business operations as of October 7. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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If you have been charged in error during this time for a visit that did not occur, you will be refunded or this will be offered as a credit to your account when we regain Internet access.
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The start date for the RISE program has been changed to October 21, 2024.
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We are thinking of you all. Stay safe.
-The Ginkgo Leaf team
Theresa Ruggiero
I am a licensed clinical social worker and advocate with years of experience navigating patients through diverse medical experiences.
My Story
I have witnessed and personally experienced the jarring impact of medical trauma. It is not as simple as adjusting to a new normal. It is trying to make sense of a world where none of the rules you thought existed continue to apply, and you no longer recognize yourself. The grief and dysregulation that accompanies medical trauma is both commonplace and invisible, making those of us who are experiencing it feel incredibly alone—even when we are surrounded by people with good intentions trying to help.
I am passionate about supporting you in your re-embodiment, as you find your unique ways to soothe through trauma and loss and reconnect to meaning and purpose. I know this is hard. I am here as a grounding and supportive presence, and see myself as a container for your thoughts and emotions as you work through the trauma of a medical event or diagnosis.
My Background
I studied Social Work at James Madison University in Virginia, focusing on social justice and human behavior in the social environment. After working for a year at an immigrant resource center, I obtained my Master's in Social Work (MSW) at Monmouth University in New Jersey, where my concentration was clinical practice with individuals and families.
During my MSW program, I interned with oncology social workers in medical and radiation oncology. This was where I first learned of the importance of emotional support during medical hardship. I have since worked in both community mental health and inpatient medical settings, including full-time clinical work at a cancer center. There, I offered psychotherapy to people with cancer or blood disorders and their families.
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I am now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Oncology Social Worker, and Tobacco Treatment Specialist that has been in practice since 2013. I have experience working with patients in medical crises in both the inpatient and outpatient medical settings. My time working in the hospital was spent supporting adults being treated for traumatic injuries, heart attacks, cancer, neurological events, and complications from high risk substance use, in addition to supporting birthing parents. I have a deep understanding of what it is like to be hospitalized and the grief that comes along with medical trauma and loss.
My Approach
Therapy is a collaborative process, and I am committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly. Healing is hard and painful at times. It takes courage and can be tiring. I strive to follow your pace and use humor and levity when appropriate. I welcome diverse individuals and perspectives, and am committed to practicing cultural humility. Incorporating one’s intersecting identities into the therapeutic process is important to me. Through our partnership, we will work towards enhancing your well-being, fostering personal growth, and finding meaning and purpose amid your journey.
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​In the outpatient setting, I work with individuals and their families experiencing cancer or blood disorders. I offer individual and couples/family therapy, facilitation of support groups, and am an integrated member of the multidisciplinary team required in the treatment of individuals with cancer. In my work, I use an assortment of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, the Trauma Resiliency Model, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I am currently interested in and pursuing training for EMDR and somatic modalities.
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I am licensed to practice counseling in the state of North Carolina.
North Carolina Licensure: LCSW #C009951 | LCAS #21838 (Click here to verify)
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Ginkgo Leaf Health Services
The ginkgo tree is known as a living fossil, and the leaves of this plant have medicinal properties for both heart and brain.
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The GLHS logo shows a ginkgo leaf in yellow, which echoes the shape of a brain and brain stem.
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The white space forms the pages of a book, emphasizing commitment to ongoing learning and evidence-based practice.
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Like the ginkgo tree, humans are survivors. We develop wisdom through working with emotions and intellect, heart and brain. By pairing new knowledge with embodied wisdom, we can find a path from surviving, through coping, to thriving.