Clinical Therapist
Clinical Therapist
Ruqiya Barreh is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and dedication to her work with children, teens, adults, and families. Fluent in both English and Arabic, Ruqiya has provided mental health support to clients in the United States and abroad, including her work with Syrian refugee children in Jordan. Her multicultural background and extensive experience enable her to provide culturally sensitive and inclusive care to individuals from all walks of life.
Ruqiya has been trained and supervised by Dr. Sylvia Gearing in all of GearingUP’s clinical programs, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is also completing dozens of hours of advanced training through professional CEU courses led by world-renowned experts, as well as in-person supervision and coaching from GearingUP’s senior clinicians. This rigorous training ensures that Ruqiya is equipped with the latest evidence-based techniques to help her clients achieve meaningful and lasting results from therapy.
Ruqiya’s passion for helping others extends beyond her clinical work. She is a driven clinician who often spends her personal time seeking out additional resources and educational opportunities to better serve her clients. Her dedication to continuous learning and growth is evident in her specialized experience with neurodivergence, autism spectrum disorders, and other emerging areas of mental health. This expertise, combined with her background in research labs focused on neural interfaces and brain health, allows her to approach her work with a unique blend of scientific rigor and heartfelt empathy.
Ruqiya works with clients of all ages, including children (as young as four years old), teens, and adults, as well as families, couples, and parents. She is skilled in addressing a wide range of challenges, from anxiety and trauma to emotional regulation and behavioral difficulties. Her ability to connect with clients and her commitment to fostering resilience and empowerment make her a trusted and effective therapist.
In addition to her clinical work, Ruqiya is deeply committed to advocacy and education. She has developed curricula for social-emotional learning programs, led psychoeducational support groups, and trained interventionists in culturally sensitive approaches to mental health. Her warm and compassionate demeanor creates a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their emotions, build coping skills, and achieve their goals.
Ruqiya’s intelligence, empathy, and dedication to her clients make her an invaluable part of the GearingUP clinical team. Whether she’s working with a child navigating anxiety, a teen building self-confidence, or an adult processing trauma, Ruqiya’s personalized and evidence-based approach ensures that every client feels heard, valued, and supported.
When she’s not working, Ruqiya enjoys staying engaged in her community and advocating for mental health awareness and accessibility. Her passion for social justice and her commitment to helping others shine through in everything she does.
Ruqiya’s Experience Includes:
Specialized Training In:
Among Ruqiya’s many accomplishments are the following: