Dr. Nancy Garcia-Ruffin
Offering couples therapy intensives in Bethesda, Maryland &
Brooklyn, New York
Clinical Psychologist
NYS-016625
Maryland: 07176
Authorized for teletherapy across 30+ states through Psypact
Clinically Speaking
I consider it a privilege to do the work I do. I knew in high school that I wanted to become a therapist, and somehow, I got it right. My interest in couples and sex therapy evolved naturally over time, and I’ve been passionately pursuing excellence in both areas ever since.
I see myself as a co-pilot on your relationship journey. I’m not here to “fix” you—I’m here to help you become experts on yourselves. I connect the dots, uncover blind spots, and teach practical skills so you can shape the kind of relationship you want to have.
My approach is both direct and compassionate—with a little humor to soften the edges. You may hear things that are hard to hear, but you’ll know they come from a place of respect and genuine care.
I welcome all couples, including LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC or mixed-race partners. I have particular expertise in working with couples facing infertility, adoption, and communication challenges. I also offer sessions in Spanish.
Whether you’re preparing for marriage, struggling to connect, or considering separation, I bring evidence-based tools from the Gottman Method, the Developmental Model, Discernment Counseling, and Divorce Mediation. Whatever phase you’re in, I’m here to help you move forward with clarity and care.
Clinical Office
I have two offices. My office in NYC is in the charming DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York—Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. It’s one of my favorite places in the city. Cobblestone streets, world-class food, and jaw-dropping views of the Manhattan skyline make this one of Brooklyn’s most beloved corners.
Just a block from the water, you can stroll the Brooklyn Bridge Park during breaks, ride Jane’s Carousel, or watch the ferries pass on the East River. Yes, you’ll hear the occasional rumble of a train overhead. But that’s part of the authenticity—and part of the charm.
The office itself is spacious, cozy, and full of light. Even with the buzz of the city outside, this is a quiet, focused space where we can do meaningful work.
My Bethesda, Maryland location offers the same warm welcome in a different context—close to DC, walkable, and full of culture.
Work Summary
I’ve been practicing psychotherapy full-time since 1998 and earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2003. Early in my career, I worked in underserved New York City neighborhoods, supervising interdisciplinary teams while serving clients impacted by poverty, trauma, immigration stress, and systemic racism.
These experiences shaped how I approach therapy—with humility, grit, and hope. I’ve worked with clients facing severe mental illness, complex trauma, and enormous systemic challenges. And yet, I’ve consistently witnessed resilience, strength, and the human capacity for connection.
It was in these community settings that I realized how central sex and relationship health are to overall well-being. I became a board-certified sex therapist in 2009, and soon after, dove deeply into couples therapy training.
Today, I’m on the Supervision Faculty at the Sex Therapy Program at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy in NYC, where I train new clinicians. I also continue to work with individual adults and couples who are committed to growth, healing, and deeper intimacy.
Nancy was extremely prepared and very open, warm, and understanding. She made us feel like what we were going through wasn’t out of the ordinary and could be fixed if we put the work in. She is amazing at her job. I couldn’t have asked for a better therapist. Nancy really cares and is so focused on helping. Therapy is scary at first because you never know what will come out or the outcome. She made us feel very safe and she really really helped us.
Personally Speaking
I’m the daughter of an immigrant single mother. That identity shaped me. It taught me independence, ambition, and resilience. I carved my own path academically, professionally, and relationally—and yes, I’ve made my share of mistakes along the way.
Those mistakes have been instructive.
I’ve been married for over 20 years. And I’d say my husband and I have had two marriages. Our “second” marriage began about nine years into the first. We matured, did our own individual work, and then came back together with new tools, new awareness, and a much stronger bond.
My training as a couples therapist helped me understand our dynamic. We confronted our Four Horsemen. We learned to self-soothe, to take responsibility, and to deepen our connection. It wasn’t easy—but it was transformative.
That experience made me a better therapist. I know what it’s like to sit in the chair and do the work. I’ve lived it.
We now have two young boys. Parenting is my greatest joy and my greatest challenge. Children have a way of holding up a mirror. They push us to grow, evolve, and become the people we want them to learn from.
I’m also lucky to have a strong “chosen family.” We have close friendships that feel like extended family—people who show up, cheer us on, and share life with us. That community means the world to me.
Life Beyond Therapy
While I’ve had no formal training, I have a passion for interior design. My husband and I have renovated several apartments and homes, starting with the very first one we bought nearly 20 years ago. We did the work ourselves—cabinetry, fixtures, even flooring. It was grueling but incredibly satisfying. These days, I still design our spaces, even if I leave the manual labor to someone else!
I invite you to join me in Brooklyn or Bethesda for a private couples therapy retreat. Let’s do the work together—so you can write a new chapter in your relationship story.
