Meet Ivet Castañeda Ruiz of Ventura, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivet Castañeda Ruiz.

Hi Ivet Castañeda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Ventura, California—a proud Mexican-American, first-generation daughter raised on sacrifice, resilience, and big dreams. From a young age, I knew I wanted more from my educational/profesional career—not just for myself, but for my family and my community. I didn’t have a roadmap, but I had vision.

That vision led me to California State University, Northridge, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2011. It was there that my passion deepened—not just understanding people, but truly helping them heal. I carried that purpose with me as I pursued my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at California Lutheran University, knowing I was stepping into work that would one day come full circle.

I began my career in community mental health, serving the very communities that raised me across Ventura County. It was meaningful, humbling work—work that shaped me not just as a clinician, but as a person. In 2019, I became licensed, a milestone that represented years of dedication, long nights, and consistent commitment.

In March of 2020, I took a leap of faith and opened my private practice. It didn’t happen overnight. I worked full-time in community mental health while building my practice on the side—pouring into both, showing up for others while quietly building something of my own. Little by little, client by client, my vision started becoming reality.

By September 2021, I stepped fully into my private practice—something that once lived only as a dream in a first-gen girl’s heart.

Today, I continue to do the work I once dreamed of—holding space, breaking cycles, and helping others heal. While honoring every version of me that made this life possible.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were definitely moments where my own mind would get in the way. Imposter syndrome would creep in and have me questioning myself—like, am I really ready for this? am I doing enough? And being the first in my family to open my own private practice…that came with a lot of pressure and unknowns. No blueprint, no one to ask, just figuring it out as I went.

I also had to work through my own anxiety and overthinking. Wanting everything to be right, overanalyzing decisions, carrying the weight of building something on my own while still showing up fully for my clients.

But I kept going. Even on the days I doubted myself. And honestly, those moments stretched me the most. They pushed me to grow into the therapist and business owner I am today.

So no, it hasn’t always been smooth… but it was real, and it has been worth it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Bilingual (English & Spanish) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the owner of my private practice, where I provide both in-person and telehealth services in California and Florida. I work with individuals navigating things like anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, generational trauma, and in addition, I also offer immigration evaluations. Which all of this is really meaningful work for me.

A big part of what I’m known for is creating a space where people feel seen, understood, and safe to do deeper healing—especially within my community. I bring both clinical knowledge and cultural understanding into the room, which makes a difference in how my clients experience therapy.

What I’m most proud of is being able to serve the same community that raised me. As a first-gen Mexican-American, there wasn’t a blueprint for this. I had to figure a lot of it out on my own. So being able to now show up and hold space for my community, and also be an example for future generations—means everything to me.

I want people to see that even if you’re the first, even if it feels unfamiliar or scary, it’s still possible. If I was able to build this from the ground up, so can they.

I think what sets me apart is that this work is personal. It’s not just what I do—it’s something I deeply connect to. My clients aren’t just getting a therapist, they’re getting someone who truly understands the layers of culture, family, and lived experience that they carry.

How do you think about happiness?
Honestly, my husband and my family. Their support and encouragement have been everything for me. They’ve helped me push through my own anxieties, my overthinking, and those moments when imposter syndrome would try to creep in. Having people who believe in me, even when I’m doubting myself, has made such a difference in my journey.

And also—my clients. There’s something really special about those moments when they realize I truly understand them. Their language, their culture, the first-gen experience, being a daughter of immigrants… all the layers that come with that. Seeing it in their faces, that sense of “I don’t have to over-explain everything here”—that makes me really happy.

Because it reminds me why I do this work in the first place.

Pricing:

• Individual counseling fee is $150 per session
• Couples counseling fee is $200
• Family counseling fee is $250 per session

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.selflovecounseling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selflovecounseling/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivet-c-66679b121/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@selflovecounseling

Image Credits
Pictures taken by the talented Sarah J. her instagram name is @bysarahmarch