Ruth Tessema is a Black, Ethiopian American, cis-gender, holistic psychotherapist based in the State of Oregon. As a licensed professional counselor, she holds certifications from The School of Counselor Education and is also a Certified Breathwork and Vibrational Sound Healing Facilitator.

Ruth and her family immigrated to the United States when she was four years old. While she has traveled extensively, Oregon has always felt like home. Growing up in North East Portland, Ruth acknowledges that the Port of Portland is situated on lands traditionally occupied and stewarded by the Cascade, Clackamas, and Multnomah Bands of the Chinook Tribes since time immemorial. Ruth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Portland State University. After spending several years working in community health, she pursued a Master’s in Counselor Education from Penn West University. Before starting her private practice, Ruth returned to Portland and worked as a school counselor in Portland Public Schools, supporting students with their social, emotional, and academic needs. Now, she follows her calling by operating a wellness practice, integrating her diverse skill set to help individuals on their journey towards self-actualization.

Compassion, trust, and growth are fundamental to Ruth’s work with clients. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help individuals feel independent and worthy of taking charge of their lives. Ruth recognizes the multiple, if not infinite, layers and intersectionalities in a person’s life. Her role is to guide individuals in examining, reflecting, and exploring these layers, which is an essential part of the healing journey. Counseling, to Ruth, is a profound therapeutic relationship where the healer and the supporter work together. With the right support, clients are empowered to make realizations and choices that are uniquely their own.

As a holistic wellness practitioner, Ruth cultivates and facilitates experiences for individuals to find alignment within their physical, energetic, mental, and spiritual selves. Her teaching style is rooted in her extensive experience as a licensed mental health therapist and educator, combined with a holistic background in somatic trauma healing. Ruth founded Rising Self Wellness to address the disparities and inequities within mental health and holistic wellness for marginalized communities. She offers holistic psychotherapy, facilitates breathwork and sound healing, and provides wellness classes and workshops to support her clients' diverse needs.

Advanced Trainings