What it’s like working with Sundance Psychological

I believe in partnership.  I want you to feel like Sundance is a space where you can completely be yourself and we will work together to help you feel connected to bringing that into all the sectors of your life.

I have worked in therapeutic day schools, general education schools, higher education as a faculty member and clinical supervisor to graduate level trainees, and in private practice as a licensed psychologist.

I was named Most Accessible Professor for the 2022-2023 school year at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  I have also led initiatives with the National Association of School Psychologists on their Accessibility task force and the Neurodiversity interest group as a co-founder.

All of my previous work has led me to creating Sundance Psychological and you can expect that all of our work together will focus on creating an accessible space that is energizing as we focus on hope, growth, and discovering your light.

Coulee Region La Crosse Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schumacher

Owner and Licensed Psychologist

I am the owner and licensed psychologist at Sundance Psychological LLC in La Crosse, WI where I provide neurodiversity affirming psychological evaluation and therapy services to youth and adults. 

My approach is humanistic and highly individualized to your unique needs and strengths. I want our work to be in alignment with who you are and what matters to you. I believe in you, your goals, and I am deeply committed to our work together.

I have extensive expertise in assessment, consultation, and therapy.  My greatest love is partnering with the Autism and neurodivergent community for over a decade. 

My work has focused a great deal on accessible counseling and evaluation, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), play therapy, neurodiversity affirming therapy, family therapy, and self-advocate leadership skill development. 

In addition to evaluation and therapy, I also have experience providing in-depth professional development trainings to organizations working to be more accessible. I have led keynote presentations for schools, businesses, sports teams, and professional groups. I have also served on human rights boards with the disability community and have previous experience as a university faculty member training graduate students in assessment and therapeutic intervention that centers the perspectives of the disability community. 

The bulk of my research and publications have focused in the area of building trusting family and youth partnerships with individuals who have complex needs and skills. I take that work of building trusting partnerships very seriously and it is what I value most in living my mission at Sundance Psychological LLC. 

License 

Licensed Psychologist | Wisconsin (license # 5190-57)

Education

Ph.D., School Psychology | Loyola University Chicago
M.Ed., School Psychology | Loyola University Chicago
B.A., English and Women’s Studies | Drake University

Profile

Psychology Today Profile

Dr. Ruth Schumacher-Martinez, Ph.D., School Psychology | Loyola University Chicago