Meet Giselle Ruvalcaba
MHP, Intern Therapist | Services in English and Spanish
(she/her)
Hi, I’m Giselle Ruvalcaba, a clinical mental health counseling intern therapist at ARCH Counseling Center. Life’s challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, and you don’t have to navigate them alone. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where we can explore your experiences, build resilience, and work toward meaningful growth and healing.
More about GISELLE
Education, Background & More
My path toward becoming a therapist has been shaped by a deep interest in understanding people’s experiences and supporting individuals through life’s challenges. Throughout my personal and professional journey, I have been drawn to work that centers compassion, connection, and advocacy for others. These values ultimately led me to pursue a career in mental health counseling.
I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at National Louis University, where I am developing clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Counseling from West Coast Bible College and Seminary. My academic training has provided a strong foundation in human development, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive counseling practices.
Before beginning my clinical training, I worked as a Child Welfare Specialist with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. In this role, I supported children and families navigating complex challenges, conducted safety assessments, and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to connect families with mental health, medical, and community resources. This experience strengthened my understanding of family systems, resilience, and the importance of creating safe, supportive environments for healing.
I have also worked in educational settings supporting students with diverse learning needs as a Special Education Classroom Assistant, where I provided individualized academic and behavioral support while collaborating with teachers, clinicians, and families. These experiences deepened my passion for supporting individuals across different stages of life and reinforced my commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive care.
As a counseling intern, my goal is to create a compassionate and supportive therapeutic space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. I approach therapy from a strengths-based and client-centered perspective, believing that every individual possesses the capacity for growth, healing, and meaningful change. I am passionate about supporting individuals as they navigate experiences such as trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I am also interested in working with clients facing acculturation and immigration-related challenges, as well as school and academic stress.
Giselle’s specialty areas include:
- Acculturation, Immigration, and Refugee Counseling
- Anxiety, OCD and Panic Disorders
- Depression and Mood Disorders
- Life Transitions
- PTSD/Trauma, Grief and Loss
- School and Academic Stress
At ARCH Counseling Center, we believe in building strong therapeutic relationships. Giselle’s compassionate approach and commitment to client-centered care make him an invaluable member of our team. Giselle provides services in English and Spanish.
Contact Giselle today to schedule your first therapy appointment or for a free 15-minute consultation.
Mental Health Matters
Articles & Resources from Giselle
When Silence Feels Heavy: The Power of Talking and Feeling Heard
Opening the Door to Difficult Conversations Suicide is one of the hardest topics to talk about. Even hearing the word can bring up discomfort, uncertainty, or fear of saying the wrong thing. As a result, many conversations about suicide never happen. While this...