Meet Our Team - Ruth Vogt
Ruth Vogt, Ph.D.
Position at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center:
ADHD/Executive Function Coach
How long have you been working at Hallowell Todaro ADHD?
About one month.
Where did you grow up?
La Jolla, CA
What are your favorite books / TV shows / movies?
My favorite books include most of those written by Barbara Kingsolver and Malcolm Gladwell, All the Light We Cannot See, and Nightcrawling. I enjoy watching documentaries by Ken Burns, sports channels, Washington Week in Review, and some HBO series. I haven’t seen many movies in the last few years but liked Nomadland, Women Talking, and Moonlight.
What’s your favorite sport and/or sports team?
I began playing golf when I was six and have continually tried to improve my game (minus a couple of decades). When I was young I wanted to hit the ball perfectly, and now I am more grateful to be walking in the sunshine. I have season tickets to the UC Berkeley women’s basketball games and follow the US soccer teams. In 2019 a friend and I went to France to the Women’s World Cup and watched the US Women win all of their games!
Complete the following sentences:
When I’m not at work, you can find me...
on the golf course at Tilden Park, attending an outdoors event with a friend, or reading.
When I want to de-stress, I...
do yoga, lift weights, take a walk and/or talk to a friend.
My favorite time of year is...
summer because the sun generally shines and the days are long.
My favorite thing to cook is...
turkey soup the day after Thanksgiving. My cooking skills are very limited.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I’d go to...
New Zealand as friends have described it as inviting, beautiful and serene.
The best gift I ever received was…
a vacation stay with my (adult) children for my birthday.
What led you to pursue a career in helping others?
After graduating from college I joined the Peace Corps and taught English as a Foreign Language in Morocco. While living there I found that I was the most comfortable in the classroom and really enjoyed interacting with the students. They were quick to learn a new language and eager to participate. The experience led me to pursue a career in education as I loved seeing the “spark” that happens when someone grasps a new concept or learns a new skill.
What education, skills and expertise do you bring to your role?
After my years in Morocco I entered the School Psychology program at UCBerkeley and ultimately earned a Phd (I had a couple of children along the way). As opportunities arose I worked as a school psychologist in Santa Cruz, Benicia, Martinez, and Oakland and served a variety of students from preschool through high school. My job generally involved conducting psychoeducational evaluations and providing school-based counseling support for students. In working with students and teachers I recognized the importance of a team approach to develop effective strategies and to provide ongoing support.
Who/what inspires you?
I am inspired by people who commit themselves to a cause/job/person in the face of daunting obstacles and who sustain their efforts in a principled, determined manner.
What’s your personal philosophy/approach toward the work you do?
In my work I try to listen intently to people and help them clarify their thoughts and/or feelings as they consider their immediate and long-term situations. In this way they become better able to recognize personal and environmental factors as they face day-to-day challenges. I validate their concerns, promote self acceptance, and help them develop strategies to address identified issues.
What is one small thing people can do to improve their lives / increase their happiness?
Each day people can give themselves a few minutes of peace and space to develop a sense of internal peace and to express gratitude for meaningful, everyday gifts.
We provide a range of support for people with ADHD.