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Leonard Ruder

Psychotherapist
4.91

Patient reviews

All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.91
Wait time
4.75
Bedside manner
4.94
Insurances accepted
Aetna
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Health)
UnitedHealthcare
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York
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Available appointments
Leonard Ruder
CT
All provider availabilityAll provider availability
Today, Apr 2 – Wed, Apr 15
Insurances accepted
Aetna
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Health)
UnitedHealthcare
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York

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Patient reviews

All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.91
Wait time
4.75
Bedside manner
4.94
Trust Banner Shield
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
88 reviews
Most relevant
It's only my first appointment but I felt very comfortable talking to Leonard. I left the visit feeling optimistic and calm.
Verified patient
Leonard is the best. If you are looking for a therapist who actually listens, Leonard is who you want.
Verified patient
I thoroughly enjoy my interactions with Leonard during our weekly appointments.
Verified patient
Each visit is unique depending upon my needs but always very helpful.
Verified patient
Dr. Ruder is incredibly perceptive and understanding. He relies on his personal experience to relate to his patients issues often being honest and open about challenges he has overcome in his own life. He is extremely direct and honest in his approach to treatment. I highly recommend his practice.
I usually don't write reviews. However, I must say that Leonard is really good at what he does. He is punctual and very insightful. I have learned and applied many methods and teachings from him into my life. He is really one of the best psychotherapist out there!
Verified patient
I have been a patient of Leonard's for a number of years. My sessions with him are always insightful and engaging. Leonard is an excellent listener and always ready to help you with your personal improvement. He hears you and gives positive feedback often using simple analogies to introduce you to new perspectives to deal with life's twists & turns. I highly recommend Leonard as a therapist and guide to help you find a better self
Verified patient
Leonard is a very thoughtful, wise and insightful therapist who brings to bear many years of experience. I have benefited greatly from his expertise and perspective, which have helped me to not only navigate my particular life challenges but also develop into a healthier and better adjusted human being.
Verified patient
While current world events would be more than a reason enough to seek out a therapist, I've been seeing Dr. Ruder for about a year and our time together has lead to positive changes in many different aspects of my life. During our sessions, we cover a wide range of different topics and the 2-sided easy going dialogue keeps me engaged and curious about ways to really contribute to my personal improvement. If you're reading this review, you might not be sure if Dr. Ruder or therapy in general are for you. For me, I'd be in a much different place in life and know my mental health and general well-being will always be worth taking that first step. I'm glad that first step was made exponentially easier by Dr. Ruder and appreciate the impact he's made on the way I approach and solve the problems we all encounter that sometimes seem like too much to handle.
Verified patient
I am so fortunate to have found Leonard. His guidance has been life-changing. He will not sit back and tell you what to do, but rather will use useful examples experiences to contextualize things and direct you to not accept or reject anything he says, but to think about it and apply it to your life. He is funny, warm, and thoughtful, but will not hold back on getting you to vulnerable places to lead to improvement. Working with him has been an excellent partnership.
I have been a patient of Leonard’s for several years now. I find myself very fortunate to have found him as a therapist. He has always made the effort to make me feel heard and understood. Of course everyone is unique and has a different fit. But if you value advice rooted in the principles of peace and harmony I strongly recommend you consider paying a visit.
Verified patient
I found this therapeutic experience to be very helpful. Mr. Ruder made me feel safe and comfortable. He is non judgmental and suggests a variety of techniques to support me . Mr. Ruder has a lot of experience and is compassionate and caring. I would highly recommend him if anyone is looking for a good therapist.
Verified patient
I have been seeing Leonard for several years. Prior to working with him I never really connected with other therapists enough to establish a long term relationship. Leonard has an ability to connect with his clients in an empathetic and genuine way. What I appreciate most about him is his ability to balance listening non-judgmentally while providing feedback in a gentle way to help me gain insight into some patterns and behaviors I am not aware of. I wanted a therapist who took more of an active role rather than simply listening and he balances that beautifully. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a therapist!
My husband and I found Leonard on zocdoc and after reading all of the reviews decided to call him. We saw him in person for a few sessions and then continued therapy on the phone during the COVID-19. He is a great listener and tries to help you understand your own situation from every perspective so that you can then make the best decision for you life. He asks for details to better understand but does not judge. Leonard uses a lot of analogies which is a really helpful way to think about your life and for a moment separate from all of the emotions that you might be feeling. We would recommend Leonard for individual or couples therapy. I have tried at least four different therapists and he's the only one that I feel like has given me real strategies to make progress in my life.
I have been a client of Leonard's for approximately two years. In the past I have seen a few other therapists to treat my anxiety and depression, and none of them have had the positive impact that Leonard has. He is deeply compassionate, intelligent, insightful, and caring. But, I think what makes him a truly exceptional therapist is the humanity that he brings to each session. He is not a therapist who remains behind an inscrutable wall--rather, he is open and relatable, and he often has a pragmatic approach to helping his clients. Quite simply, Leonard is an outstanding therapist whose care and treatment have helped me enormously, and I couldn't recommend him highly enough.
I have been meeting with Leonard several times a month for almost five years now, and even after all this time, our sessions remain refreshing and enlightening. I initially sought treatment for depression and anxiety, but Leonard has helped me through a vast array of issues ranging from the previously mentioned, to substance abuse to body image issues, and has aided in my developing new skills and ways of coping with whatever situations might come my way. As with many fields related to healthcare, I do not believe that therapy should not be handled with a cookie-cutter approach. Leonard has done an excellent job of being adaptable and tailoring our sessions to fit my unique needs, even if/when they change on weekly basis. I look forward to continuing my sessions with Leonard, as I always leave having learned something new about myself or having gained a new perspective on an issue I may not have been able to see before.
Verified patient
I have been visiting Leonard weekly for the past year. I always leave my sessions feeling better than when i enter his office and so would recommend him to others. He has a very strong grasp of the theoretical and is able to translate that well into our conversations in an approachable and easy-to-understand way. Indeed, he has a very wide range of stories, quotes, sports reference, etc.. that he effectively uses to easily explain a difficult-to-articulate concept. He does a good job of cultivating a sense of gratitude. I have also found him to be particularly good at helping understand and address feelings of anger, regret, resentment and disappointment. His demeanor is relaxed and direct, both traits I appreciate as they make our sessions productive. He has been very helpful to me and so I would recommend him to others in search of a therapist.
So far so good. Booked an appointment for my teenage son and for a kid that doesn’t like to talk he sure has opened up and enjoyed talk with Leonard Ruder. He’s looking forward to their weekly video conferences.
Verified patient
Excellent therapist with terrific skills. He make a significant difference in my life. I would happily recommend him to anyone I know.
I have been a client of Leonard for many years and he’s really helped me through some very tough times. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at a young age and I’ve been to many therapists in my life and by far Leonard has helped me the most. One of the great things about Leonard is that he’s kind and friendly but also calls you out on your BS. He’s helped me see over the years of our work together that I’ve created a lot of my own problems through unhealthy patterns. He never judges you, but he does guide you to be the best version of yourself. Leonard is the kind of therapist that is a godsend to anyone suffering from mental health issues. If you put in the work with him I am certain he can help.
Verified patient
First off let me inform you, I was skeptical of therapy before I came to Mr. Ruder. I had seen 5 other people for initial consultations previously and they were pretty rough experiences. I had been urged by my partner to keep trying so I contacted him through my insurance. I guess I was asking for a lot, someone who could ride a line of clinical and also warm emotionality. I was so happy to have gone one last try to him. I found all these qualities but also someone who would join with me on the journey of self care. I found a solid ground to sobriety and some wonderful coping skills for emotional issues. If you are looking for a well rounded therapist who wants to work with you rather then “fix” you Mr. Ruder is the guy to call.
Verified patient
I don't tell people I have a "therapist" I tell them I have a "guru". Leonard has been pivotal in my life for helping me work through various challenges and questions as more than just a therapist. He is my coach, a friend, and someone who has helped me find truths that I wouldn't have been able to find alone. He challenges my ways of thinking when I am stuck, and calls me out on my behavior that's contradictory to my goals. Leonard is NOT going to "tell you what to do", and if you are looking for that in therapy you are going to have a hard time finding it - he WILL help lead you to places within yourself to question or pay attention to, in some cases even celebrate. In counseling, along with self-work he has pointed me toward external resources and methods that have completely altered my way of thinking about certain subjects. At the end of the day, when you change these things within yourself, those are the moments that lead to permanent change. You have to put in the work and the thought yourself, but Leonard will help get you to where you want to go. Aside from being a trusted resource and healthcare professional, I find him pleasant, funny and welcoming. If you are looking for a good partner in therapy, I highly recommend!
Verified patient
Leonard is an outstanding therapist and a keen listener who cuts through the noise with understanding, compassion and wisdom.
Verified patient
Excelent
I visited Dr. Ruder's CT office which was in his home and it was not an ideal environment to see patients - sat down on a broken, old couch, dirty office for 5 min. wondering if anyone knew I was at the house/office. Once the session started, a dog was in the room, jumping up on me (nothing against dogs, just not professional to me in a healthcare setting). Dr. Ruder's appearance was also not professional as he was wearing sweatpants. Again, this was his home office and maybe his other office would generate a difference experience.
Leonard has changed my everyday attitude and how I relate to people in just a few short months. He offers very good ways of visualizing a situation such that I not only understand his perspective during the appointment but also carry around with me a series of stories/visuals that help me everyday and that I share with my friends and family. I am thrilled to have Leonard as a coach as I seek to be the best person I can be.
Dr Ruder is a caring and thoughtful individual by nature which comes accross in his treatment. What I appreciate most is his genuine curiosity and interest in wellness through non-traditional methods. Dr.Ruder encourages his patients to seek their own path and stand in their own truth rather than blindly accept what he proposes- in fact he often says "don't accept or reject what I'm saying, merely consider it."
I’ve been seeing Leonard for about a year now and my well-being has improved dramatically. I’ve come to him at a time when I was extremely anxious and miserable in my day-to-day life. Since then he helped me understand that things might happen to my in my life but it’s up to me how I’m going to react to them. This has been the greatest lesson I’ve received in recent years. The idea that I can really define and decide how I feel on a daily basis has changed my life. The best part about coming to see Leonard on a regular basis is that he does not mind reminding me about that fact whenever I forget it. He’s extremely patient and he offers a wealth of experience, wisdom and warmth that makes it easy to open up and share. He easily spots patterns in ones life and guides you so that you can spot them too. He is also extremely helpful in making your understand why you are the way you are and how you can go about changing it - if you choose to do so. He never pressures you but just helps your see your options and look at your life from a different perspective. It’s eye-opening! I highly recommend him as a therapist.
Dr. Ruder is the best therapist I have ever had. He is very easy to connect with and it is clear that his full attention is with you for the entire session. Because he loves his job and finds human connection genuinely interesting, he does not get worn out or diverted when he has multiple appointments a day. He speaks from the mind and heart and his conversation is natural: very little energy is spent on senseless filtering or indirectness, and this produces great results. In his connection with you, it is never just a one way conversation. He shares relevant details about his life that connect to the topic you are discussing for comparison or contrast. The things you learn about him are gems that are very relatable, making you feel like there is someone in the trenches with you rather than creating a model of perfect person you will never become. He also never dominates the conversation. Dr. Ruder practices therapy at a higher level than most other therapists. Rather than just dealing with the things at hand from your week, he finds patterns with your behavior and abstracts them into principles and beliefs about the world that you may have that could be leading you in the wrong direction. So rather than the immediate, he tackles the root cause and helps you work through it to get out of poor cycles of behavior. I have certainly learned a lot from him and improves substantially over the past year.
I had been looking for a therapist for quite awhile. When I came accross Leonard's bio on ZocDoc it spoke to me. I hadn't even met with him yet & felt he could help me. I was right. I've been seeing him for almost a year now & he continues to give me guidance & gain perspective of things that confused me before. I believe if I continue to see him my ability to handle life can only improve.
Verified patient
I highly recommend Leonard as a psychotherapist. He is an excellent listener and communicator and has the great ability of applying simple analogies of everyday life to complex personal issues to aid in ones search for personal growth.
I highly recommend Leonard as a therapist. I've been seeing him for awhile now and each visit helps me clear my head and gain a perspective. He's helped me develop emotional maturity and simply grow as a human being.
I decided to go to Leonard almost a year ago after seeing positive reviews about him on zocdoc. I am in my thirties and have never been to therapy before, but was going through a tough time in my marriage and was desperate. Leonard is has a wealth of experience and knowledge and is extremely professional yet friendly at the same time. He has been an invaluable resource for me, giving me insight, allowing me to vent about work and relationships, and helping me become the best person I can be. My friends and family have all noticed a positive change in my outlook towards life since I started seeing him. I am so glad I took this step in my life and now I look forward to my sessions every week. It has truly been life-changing. I give Leonard my highest recommendation for anyone going through a difficult time, especially if you are new to therapy as I was.
I’ve been going to therapy with Leonard Ruder for over 9 years. In my experience, what sets Leonard apart is his gift of empathy as a therapist and his expertise in navigating feelings and enhancing perspective to become more present and actively engaged in one’s own experiences and responses in life. In other words, Leonard helped me to find agency in my life. I began seeing Leonard for treatment of what I described as acute anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I felt out of control of my feelings and responses to the daily stimuli of life, and I felt I was slowly becoming disconnected and lost in negative feelings. I felt I had no agency. As a therapist, Leonard is an excellent listener and very patient and wise. Over time he provided me with key concepts, considerations, and perspectives to consider in overcoming the panic attacks, anxiety and much of the depression I was suffering from. In many ways I have recovered from the symptoms that originally brought me to Leonard. And after these many years, after a lot of recovery, what keeps me going to Leonard is his generosity and openness as a therapist. I have integrated much of his teaching and wisdom into my daily life, which has been positively transformative. Further his therapy has given me the confidence to be creative and discover my own authenticity and resilience, to be healthy, fulfilled, generally happy, to arrive in the present more fully engaged in the moment, and to generally have a more deeply satisfying and meaningful human experience.
Leonard's approach to therapy is not your typical approach. He is truly a unique therapist. He engages clients with a genuine balance of his abundant knowledge of mental health and his personal views of life and all the experiences it entails. This creates an experience in treatment in which you realize you are working with someone who is quite competent in his field and truly cares about his clients. -James C.
Leonard has helped me grow so much. He has helped me see what I can do to make life easier... the ways that I can take control and responsibility for a healthy and enjoyable life. I used to believe that I was a powerless victim..and that was my fate. Leonard helped me see that I make my own reality and helped me change my behavior and put into practice the concepts he helped me understand
I felt that Dr. Ruder genuinely listened and really cared. I felt that he had a lot of life experience as well as education and that his advice was wise. I never felt rushed or judged and it was an extremely positive experience. He is diverse yet strong and stable. I felt comfortable and will continue to work with him for sure.
Leonard Ruder is an incredibly accomplished, effective and experienced professional. Having guided me me how to integrate the use of the concepts of perspective, spirituality and various others in my way of thinking, he has made a huge impact on my life. If you want to waste your money then go to another therapist. If you want a personal coach that will drive your levels of personal growth to levels you have never imagined, Leonard is that coach. He is exceptional at helping you identify and get past conscious or unconscious roadblocks to your happiness. If there was a 5 star scale of how to rate therapists, he would be a six.
I've visited with Leonard a few times now and he's been extremely helpful. I've had a lot going on in my life and he's given me perspective and reassurance. This is the first therapist I've been to and it has been a very positive experience. Highly recommend him.
Dr Ruder makes me feel listened to and understood. Often times one needs their feelings and thoughts validated- and he does this without placating you. I appreciate how he engages and creates food for thought without being pushy or judgmental.
It was comforting to know that he is genuinely interested in listening and helping. I felt the support and direction I received was such that I will be able to follow through and make the daily changes to achieve my goal.
Leonard Ruder has been my therapist for many years now. He has transformed my way of thinking and how to go about living my life with content and happiness. His approach is not to give an answer to resolve your issues. But leading you to come up with your own answers. My confidence and belief in myself has never been better!
Verified patient
Leonard has been my therapist for the last three years and he has been tremendously helpful. Not only does he provide a sympathetic ear but also guidance that speaks to a holistic approach to mental health. What I mean by holistic is that unlike many other therapists that stick rigorously to some rigid psychological dogma that pigeonholes treatment to specific "illnesses", (like depression, OCD, etc.), Leonard treats the person. In other words, his approach sees the human being as more than just a bunch of bundle of neurosis and malfunctioning neurotransmitters. I would recommend Leonard to anyone who not only wants to feel better emotionally but also spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Verified patient
I came to Leonard two years ago when I was going through a painful divorce. I highly recommend Leonard as a therapist as he is a wise and caring man intent on helping everyone he meets become the best person they can be. It was important for me to continue my therapy with Leonard so that I learned from the mistakes I made in my first marriage. I am now in a loving relationship and with my new partner I am entirely open and communicative and we have a great deal of empathy for each other. I have confidence that I can be in a happy and lasting marriage in the future even though I feared for some time that I would repeat the same mistakes I made in my first marriage. When Leonard and I first met I was emotionally shaken up and depressed and in a tragic state following the break up with my wife. Leonard helped to console me and provided a safe place to explore my emotions. As we got to know each other better Leonard has helped me to champion my emotions and as well through our discussions I have uncovered an understanding of where I stand in my spirituality (non-religious but very spiritual). Leonard is a very spiritual person: as our relationship grew and he learned I was open to exploring my spirituality with him, our discussions often turned to this topic but I have never felt uncomfortable or influenced. My interactions with my peers, my partner and myself are stronger today than they were before I met Leonard. I highly recommend speaking with Leonard if you are stuck with some aspect of your life.
Leonard is incredibly special and unique as a therapist and a surprisingly huge source of support for me in my life. I always look forward to the sessions and feel as if a weight has been lifted from me when I leave. I often take notes after our conversations because he explains things to me with such new clear perspectives--that I don't want to forget his exact words- when times are especially difficult I will look back on his quotes throughout the week to get my head back on straight. I think he is really a one of a kind teacher in his field and Ive already recommended him to many of my friends and their friends and their friend's friends!!His clarity, empathy, kindness and creativity as a teacher and guide are priceless. I am a fan. Elizabeth
Verified patient
Len has been my therapist for some time. His warm, steady, empathetic and commonsensical advice and guidance has helped me through a very difficult period in my life. He has stood with me as I've faced my deepest concerns and been my enthusiastic supporter as I've turned defeatism into self actualization, self confidence and, dare I say it, happiness.
It was my first visit, but he made me feel very comfortable about discussing certain subjects I may have otherwise left out. He's open and professional and I would recommend him.
Verified patient
Verified patient