Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Anne Kramer.
Hi Ruth Anne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Ruth Anne Kramer, and I live in Chesapeake, Virginia, with my family. I’d like to share a brief story about my journey that began at eighteen years old, which was twenty-five years ago. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology, I joined the Army without a clear idea of what I wanted to do with that degree.
During my second year of school, the events of September 11th occurred. This pivotal moment motivated me to join ROTC and pursue a commission in the Army. At that time, being in ROTC wasn’t always seen as the popular choice. I vividly remember fellow students asking, “Do you still want to join with everything happening?” My answer was a resolute yes. I wanted to be part of something greater than myself; the risk felt invigorating, and it offered me an opportunity to leave my small hometown in Upstate New York.
I separated from the military in 2013, returned to school full-time, and earned a master’s degree in social work. My spouse remained on active duty until 2021. During those eight years, I moved three times and completed two internships while holding seven different jobs.
Today, I am a licensed clinical social worker with a secondary license as an addiction counselor. I provide trauma therapy to veterans. In March 2023, I published my first book, “You Belong: A Guidebook for the Career-Minded Woman On the Move.” Currently, I am enrolled in the Social Work Ph.D. program at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
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 have definitely been struggles along the way. Although these difficulties can be unpleasant and may at times make you want to give up, they ultimately contribute to our strength and wisdom. Some of the challenges I’ve faced include finding the right career and organization to work for, navigating life as a woman, and dealing with self-doubt.
After leaving the military, I went through seven different jobs, most of which I left because they didn’t work for me, not due to relocation. I encountered uncomfortable situations during interviews, such as being asked when my baby was due because I attended interviews while pregnant. As a woman in and out of the military, I often felt a constant need to prove myself. I wanted to demonstrate that I was capable of more than just taking notes and making coffee. There were many instances during my service when women were made to feel less capable than their male counterparts. In response to this, I worked harder and pushed myself to be physically fit and completing tasks ahead of schedule. When I deployed to Iraq in 2009, I faced situations where comments began with, “because you’re a woman…” I believe most women today strive to show up for their roles and seek equal opportunities to participate. When there are caveats to our existence, it feels discouraging.
Additionally, I have struggled with self-doubt. Many of my experiences led me to feel that I did not belong, which ultimately inspired me to write my book. I’ve heard it said that our pain can transform into our purpose, and this rings true for me. There will always be someone who says or does something that implies you don’t belong. It’s crucial to acknowledge these experiences while also reminding yourself that you belong just as much as anyone else.
Whether you are entering a new career field, starting a new job, or attending an interview, your desire to be there is what matters most. No one can dictate your sense of belonging but you. We can consciously decide if something isn’t right for us, but we should not let others’ preferences or biases affect our self-worth. The challenges we face often stem from others’ personal issues or beliefs, which can feed our self-doubt. However, these opinions do not define us. You have worth, experience, and knowledge, and you belong just as much as anyone else.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There are two aspects of my career as a licensed clinical social worker that I truly enjoy. I am currently employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a trauma therapist, which allows me the honor of serving the men and women who have served our country. I believe it is imperative for these Veterans to heal from their experiences so they can be present for their families and friends and contribute positively to society, rather than being stuck in the past.
The second aspect of my role is serving as a supervisor to other social workers within my organization. I have been entrusted with leading them in the day-to-day operations of our mental health clinic, ensuring they have the supplies and training necessary to effectively serve our Veterans. I find great joy in mentoring my peers and witnessing their growth.
I specialize in sandtray therapy, an expressive somatic therapy that uses images to help clients process conflicts, trauma, or existential questions. This therapy facilitates the vital mind-body connection that veterans need assistance with. Many veterans are trained in the military to prioritize logic over emotion, so my role involves helping them unlearn this training that may have been beneficial during their service but can hinder their lives afterward. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which shares similarities with sandtray therapy. In EMDR, I assist clients in recalling images from distressing life experiences while also helping them process the emotions and meanings they have assigned to themselves due to those experiences. This work enables them to develop more realistic and adaptable beliefs, ultimately improving how they feel about themselves and how they function in their daily lives.
I take pride in overcoming obstacles and using past challenges as steppingstones to where I am today. I never would have imagined that I would be so fortunate to serve in this role.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When I graduated with my MSW in 2014, we relocated to El Paso, Texas, due to my husband’s military assignment. I was faced with a double challenge: starting a new career and settling into a new town. To begin my journey, I focused on getting my children established in care so that I could pursue my clinical license to become a therapist. After two and a half years of hard work, I became independently licensed and opened my own therapy practice.
Running a business was a new and daunting experience for me, and I felt quite alone at first. To help with this, I joined a business networking group called “Breakfast with Friends.” This was intimidating because the members were mostly long-standing residents of the community who had been successfully running their businesses for years. However, I’m glad I took that leap of faith. The group members welcomed me and provided invaluable support. They came from various professional backgrounds, including real estate, photography, taxes, and makeup artistry. I learned not only from their business strategies but also benefited from their services.
Leaving El Paso in 2018 was difficult because of the relationships I had established there. I aspire to recreate a similar “Breakfast with Friends” group in Hampton Roads.
One piece of advice I have is to reach out to others who are in similar situations or career fields. Sharing insecurities and seeking advice can be incredibly helpful. Sometimes, it’s the smallest obstacles that hold us back, and once we address those challenges, we can continue moving forward. I remind myself that “the answer is always no if I don’t ask” and “there is no change without change.” While the phrase “the sky is the limit” is common, I’ve heard it rephrased as “your mind is the limit,” which I believe is profoundly true.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annekramerlcsw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annekramercounselingservices
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthannekramer
- Other: https://tactical16.com/ruth-anne-kramer/
