Ruth MacBain , LCPC, LCMHC

Ruth MacBain is a licensed clinician with experience in community mental health across Maine and New Hampshire and a master's level certificate in Substance Use Disorders. She brings a background in residential treatment and Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders, combining practical experience with specialized training to support people facing addiction, trauma, mood concerns, and complex behavioral health needs.

Her practice emphasizes collaboration and uses evidence-informed methods, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. When teaching groups she also draws on Seeking Safety and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Integration for Substance Use Disorders to address the intersection of addiction and mental health. Ruth has additional training and experience working with LGBTQ individuals, people living with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and with autistic and intellectually disabled populations.

Ruth holds LCPC and LCMHC credentials, professional licenses that indicate advanced training in clinical counseling. Outside of clinical work she volunteers with adaptive sports programs, supports people with autism, and assists others in overcoming challenges related to disabilities. She enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and swimming.

Therapeutic approaches for online care and recovery

Ruth uses Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore their ambivalence about change and strengthen their own reasons for making lasting shifts; this approach is often employed with people working through substance use or readiness for change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and related concerns; it is practical and skills-oriented. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills, supporting people who struggle with intense emotions, self-destructive patterns, or relationship difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Ruth collaborates with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences, adapting strategies over time so the treatment fits each person's life and pace.

Online therapy with Ruth is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which provides flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care from home, during travel, or between other commitments, while allowing licensed professionals and therapists to deliver evidence-informed interventions in ways that suit the client.