About
Ruthie Israeli, LCSW
Bicoastal Psychotherapist | Modern Couples & Relational Specialist
I work with couples struggling with infidelity and sexual dysfunction. If you and your partner are navigating issues related to communication, trust, intimacy, infertility, divorce, or power struggles, you're in the right place.
As a native New Yorker, I understand the nuances and diversity of the couples who make up our city—and now, my bicoastal practice also brings that insight to clients in Los Angeles. I specialize in working with international couples, addressing the ways cultural and language differences can either clash or enrich a relationship—both inside and outside the bedroom.
I’m equally comfortable working with traditional families and non-traditional relationship structures. My practice is informed by the questions couples often fear asking: Is it time to grow together—or apart? Is it time to consider uncoupling?
Why Therapy?
During my undergraduate psychology studies, I remember asking myself: What is the point of therapy?
I no longer ask that question.
In today’s ever-changing, high-pressure world, therapy is an essential tool for growth, self-understanding, and relationship repair. I’ve seen it transform lives—including my own.
My Approach
I grew up in New York City, shaped by the multicultural tapestry and complex human experiences around me. Storytelling is central to my life. My family has a saying: “Make a long story longer.” That love of stories—where they come from, how they evolve—led me to specialize in Narrative Therapy and Relational Systems Work.
Whether I'm working with an individual, a family, a couple, or a company, I see every system as interconnected. Our internal and external narratives shape how we see ourselves and engage with others. The good news? Narratives are plastic. We can reframe them. We can rewrite them.
My therapeutic style is radically curious, transparent, and collaborative. I hold space for discomfort and privilege your self-agency above all. My clients appreciate my direct, structured approach—and the results it brings. I aim to empower you with insights, tools, and the confidence to live and love more intentionally.
I bring a global perspective to my practice, shaped by years of travel and professional work across borders. I infuse my work with contemporary clinical findings, podcasts, books—and yes, even the occasional transformative TikTok.
One of my deepest clinical interests is intergenerational trauma. These unspoken legacies can echo across generations—living in our bodies, shaping our relationships, and influencing our behavior in ways we may not realize. Therapy is a space to examine and interrupt those patterns so you can create something new.
I believe in your ability to change. But meaningful change doesn't happen overnight. It requires consistency, effort, and the right support. That’s why I value professional collaboration and continuously consult with fellow therapists and field leaders to ensure best practices—both for my clients and for the therapists I supervise.
Credentials & Affiliations
I’ve been practicing since 2009 and continue to feel energized by the work of self-discovery—both mine and yours.
Education & Training:
Master of Social Work, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University
Certificate in Family & Couples Therapy, Ackerman Institute for the Family (4-year post-graduate training)
Licensure:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York and California
Academic & Professional Affiliations:
Adjunct Faculty, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University
Ackerman Alumni Association
AASECT – American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University
At a Glance
Efficient & Results-Oriented: No “woo woo” distractions—just clear therapeutic outcomes.
Warm & Direct: Emotional safety meets accountability.
Bicoastal & Global: Serving high-achieving clients in NYC, LA, and internationally.
Systems-Focused: Treating the whole—individuals, couples, families, and tech companies.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re an individual looking for clarity, a couple navigating complexity, or a company addressing relational dynamics—I’d be honored to work with you.