Get to Know Ruby Donahaye, Seleni’s Care Coordinator
As Seleni’s Care Coordinator, Ruby Donahaye is the calm voice on the other end of the line — helping new clients take their first step toward care with compassion and clarity. From the first call to the first appointment, Ruby ensures every person feels supported, informed, and understood.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to the Seleni Institute?
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Tulane University with a minor in Philosophy and certificate in Gender-Based Violence. During my time in college, I worked as a sexual violence survivor advocate through a peer-run on-campus organization. I also interned with the MIND Foundation in Berlin, Germany, where I supported the Augmented Psychotherapy Team in training mental health professionals in the use of psychedelic therapy. I’ve always been intrigued by the way in which early childhood impacts the way we form attachments and develop relationships as adults, which is ultimately what drew me to Seleni.
What inspired you to work in mental health?
From a young age, I’ve felt called to create safe spaces for people who are suffering. Even with the gradual increase of awareness around mental health issues in today’s society, there is still so much painful stigma and shame around seeking therapy. A small moment of kindness can have such a meaningful impact on others, especially during a time of vulnerability and struggle. It’s important for people to feel comfortable and encouraged to take this step, and to help people bridge that gap is something that I find incredibly fulfilling.
What does a typical day look like for you as a Care Coordinator at Seleni?
My days have varied widely and are never boring. A typical day will always include a focus on supporting our patients, whether through the intake process, determining clinician matches and scheduling, or ensuring questions or concerns are heard and responded to. I spend time touching base with both the administrative and clinical teams as we work together to continually improve and refine our processes.
“To me, the most exciting and interesting part of working at Seleni is the opportunity to have such a widespread, intergenerational impact. To support just one patient creates a significant ripple effect, which really makes the work at Seleni unique. It’s important to me to show extra care to populations and issues that are often overlooked, especially given that maternal mental health care is so crucial and can have a positive impact on every single person in society.”
How do you help make a patient’s first contact with Seleni a positive experience?
My focus is on being warm, kind, and attentive. I take time to listen to their story, validate their experience, and clearly explain the process so they feel informed rather than overwhelmed. My goal is to remove any sense of judgment or confusion and replace it with clarity, comfort, and support from the very start.
What do you hope patients feel when they first connect with you?
I hope that people feel safe when they connect with me. I want them to feel that their care is in good hands, that their story matters, and that they don’t have to navigate this alone. I hope they feel respected, believed, and hopeful about receiving care.
What’s something you wish more people understood about mental health?
Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of self-awareness and strength. As cliché as it may sound, many of us feel a certain level of discomfort and shame around seeking mental health care, and that it somehow says something “negative" about who we are. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable, and even more so to put your vulnerability on display while also caring for the people who rely on you. I hope that over time, seeking mental health care is seen as setting a positive example for loved ones.
What motivates or grounds you in your work?
I’m motivated to create small moments of connection that create meaningful impact. I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as a smile and a warm welcome can completely change a person’s life, even if it doesn’t seem significant in the moment. I feel grounded knowing that this intention is at the core of everything I do, whether I’m speaking with patients, clinicians, our administrative team, or a stranger on the street.
Healing starts with a single conversation. Explore how Seleni’s clinical team supports emotional well-being through compassionate, evidence-based care.
Ruby Donahaye
Fun fact that might surprise people: I took over five years of American Sign Language classes!
Ruby’s approach to care coordination in one phrase: “Small moments, big impact,” because healing begins with small, human moments of understanding.
On spending free time: I enjoy surrounding myself with music, spending quality time with friends, and have recently discovered a new love for cooking. During longer periods of free time, I love to travel as much as possible and constantly expose myself to new places, people, and conversations.
