Ruth Clifford PhD

Address

851 Fremont Ave, Ste.107
Los Altos, CA   94024  

650-949-5199 

Fax:

650-917-1580 

URL:

E-mail:

ruthcliff@aol.com 

Degrees:

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1975; B.A. in Psychology, University of Oregon, 1969 

AASECT Certifications:

AASECT-certified: Diplomate of Sex Therapy  

Profession/Job Title:

AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, 1980 - present; American Board of Sexology - Diplomate, 1989-present; EMDR Levels I and II - 1992; California Licensed Psychologist # PSY 8173, 1984-present  

Areas of Specialization:

Sexual dysfunctions (arousal and orgasm disorders) in men and women, straight and gay/lesbian; Sexual desire disorders; Issues regarding commitment and fidelity; Sexual compulsivity/addiction Recovery from sexual trauma (childhood sexual molestation, incest, rape, clerical sexual abuse, and torture among refugees) 

Office Hours:

Tuesday through Friday, afternoons and evenings 

Billing Information:

All fees are payable at the time of service. A receipt which can be submitted for insurance reimbursement, if desired, will be provided. Dr. Clifford is not a member of any managed care networks. Fees are discounted for clients with special need. 

Philosophy:

Dr. Clifford uses an eclectic approach based on active collaboration with the client or clients, tailored to their specific complaints. She has an extensive background in cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation methods, and expressive techniques, as well as sex therapy based on the model developed at the Masters and Johnson Institute, where she was on the staff for five years. When there is an established couple, she recommends seeing both partners together when possible, because both have been affected by the problem and wil need to cooperate together to resolve it. She often recommends "homework" activities to identify problem areas and practice new ways of thinking and behaving. 

Other Information:

Dr. Clifford has practiced as a Sex Therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area for 25 years. She worked at the Stanford Psychiatry Department in the Laboratory for Behavioral Medicine from 1982 to 1989 as a therapist specializing in sex and relationship therapy. She opened her private practice in Sunnyvale in 1982, moved her office to Mountain View in 2001, and relocated to Los Altos in 2007.