Cassandra (CC) Ruela holds a license as a Professional Counselor in both Connecticut and New Jersey and is an internationally certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is the Clinical and Executive Director of Paramount Wellness Retreat in CT. CC has been in the field for 13 years, beginning as an unlicensed clinician and working with all levels of care (detox, inpatient, outpatient, and intensive outpatient). She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut and a Master's Degree in the Clinical Practices of Psychology from the University of Hartford. CC's career has focused on substance use disorders and how to make an impact using the "whole-person," approach.

CC is also a Clinical Supervisor helping therapists to grow and become the most effective professionals they can be, believing that impactful treatment begins with impactful professionals. CC is Secretary on the Connecticut Certification Board and a member of the Worldwide Women's Association. In 2024, she spoke on the "Men in Mental Health" panel and was honored for Excellence in Healthcare Leadership at the Health 2.0 Conference. She presented "The Mirrored Walls of Therapy" at the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders and the East Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders in 2025. She is writing a book highlighting the use of Mirrored Walls of Therapy. CC has been married for 6 years and resides with her husband, twin 4-year-old boys, 3-year-old daughter, and two dogs in Connecticut.