About Us /
Quienes Somos
Ruthie Duran Deffley
she/her/ella
Ruthie Duran Deffley, LCSW, RYT500
I grew up in Mexico City, where I attended a bilingual school until I graduated high school. I then relocated to the United States to continue my education. I earned an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, a master’s in social work (MSW), and a master’s in Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities Campus.
Through my work and relocation, I have had the opportunity to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds in significant ways. I have worked with people from diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, sexual orientation, and religious/spiritual backgrounds. The settings have spanned community-based centers, homeless shelters, methadone clinics and treatment centers, a trauma recovery center, public schools, a college counseling center, and churches.
As a bilingual psychotherapist, I offer clinical mental health counseling services to the Latinx community in Spanish or English and specialize in supporting individuals struggling with addiction, complex PTSD, and/or exploring gender and sexuality issues. My priority is to create a culturally sensitive, respectful, and safe environment that fosters exploration and curiosity in a shared space whenever possible. When helpful, I utilize the lens of intersectionality to examine social trauma and the layers of oppression. I believe in a non-coercive approach that continually seeks to empower individuals.
Living my values / Viviendo mis valores
As someone who has dealt with her mental health issues, I practice rigorous self-care that includes quality sleep, acupuncture, working out, jogging around Savannah, mindful meditation sessions, regular massages, yoga, reading fiction, and my therapy sessions with a mental health professional.
Self-care is one of the main principles of my practice, and it begins with me, especially when doing trauma-informed work. Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky is an excellent resource for more information.
Mark Bowen
he/him/his
Mark Bowen, LMSW
I am originally from the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) area, but I am no stranger to Savannah. My family’s deep historical roots date back to the early 18th century in Chatham County. After a long and rewarding career in the non-profit sector, where I had the opportunity to work with diverse groups of people, I returned to school at Savannah State University for a master's in social work.
As a licensed psychotherapist, my areas of expertise include supporting those struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, anger, and personality disorders. As a social services provider at a psychiatric hospital, I have experience counseling and supporting those diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness (e.g., major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, etc.). You can expect that the space we share will be judgment-free, anti-oppressive, and geared toward your unique needs. My therapeutic approach is to foster an environment of active listening and collaboration to empower individuals to navigate the world surrounding them.
When preferred or as necessary, I will weave my experience as a holistic doula, horticultural therapist, or social worker to enhance the therapeutic process. As a holistic doula, my focus is to provide socio-emotional support and education to the partner of a pregnant person at any stage of the birth journey. As a horticultural therapist, I may employ plants as tools to assist with the therapeutic process. As a social worker, I can help identify and secure the necessary resources to live a balanced, fulfilling life.
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Want to see if Healthy Mind / Mente Sana is the place for you? Please schedule a no-obligation 15-minute phone consultation.