Ruth Cartagena-Marz

Job titles

• Adjunct Instructor of Social Work
  Social Work, College of Arts and Sciences
  Social Work (M.S.W.), Graduate School

Highlight

Ruth is a licensed graduate social worker, with education from Bethel University. Ruth is a bilingual (Spanish and English) school-based therapist with experience in community-based work, day treatment, and crisis response for children and families. Ruth has worked with ages 4-18 across different roles and settings. Ruth enjoys reading, baking (especially sourdough bread), and experiencing life with my 2 kids and husband. Our family loves to travel and experience the world through food and experience.

Started at Bethel

2026

Education

• Bethel University - B.A in Social Work, 2022
• Bethel University - M.S.W in Social Work, 2023

Biography

Ruth is a licensed graduate social worker, with education from Bethel University. Ruth is a bilingual (Spanish and English) school-based therapist with experience in community-based work, day treatment, and crisis response for children and families. Ruth has worked with ages 4-18 across different roles and settings. Ruth has supported as a Teaching Assistant and Academic Tutor in the Social Work Department at Bethel University. She has provided trainings on Self-Care, Burnout, and Secondary Trauma and Stress and Trauma-Informed care in the educational settings. She has engaged in research regarding the impact of divorce on childhood development and functioning across settings.

Ruth values justice-informed, culturally sensitive and responsive, and accesible resources and services for marginalized communities. She has ongoing interests in research regarding ACE's and impacts and processing of generational trauma.

Awards

Excellence in Academic and Research, Bethel University (2022)

Excellence in Academic and Research, Bethel University (2023)

Featured in Kare 11 (2026) - "As students learning virtually return to school, Columbia Heights faces long road ahead" as a School-Based Therapist 

Presentations

Self-Care, Burnout, Secondary Trauma and Stress for Educators (2026)

Certificates and licenses

LGSW

Professional organizations, committees, and boards

Washburn Center for Children (2022-Current) - Internship and Employment

Hobbies and interests

Ruth enjoys reading, learning, baking (especially sourdough bread), and experiencing life with my 2 kids and husband. Our family loves to travel and experience the world through food and experience. 

Areas of expertise

Social Work Community-based work Children's Mental Health Case Management Practice with individuals and families Bilingual Practice Clinical Interviews, Diagnostic Assessments Incorporating Play into Therapy Social Work in the Schools

Research interests

Culturally Responsive Care Across Settings— Washburn Center for Children, Family Focused Intern Completed MSW capstone researching the perspectives of in-home and in-group therapists in their ability to provide culturally responsive care across settings. Training Effectiveness and Needs for Suicide Prevention— The Bridge for Youth, Youth Advocate Intern Completed research through the Bridge about training effectiveness and the needs for suicide prevention and gate-keeping training