Ruth Durham

Profile

At times it can feel so difficult to acknowledge problems or issues as by doing so can make them "more real". When we are perhaps too afraid to let our feelings come straight out, they will almost certainly "come out sideways", as when we don't talk about it we behave it.

I offer my clients respect, acceptance and confidentiality, along with the time and space to explore issues in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

I qualified as a Relate Couple/Relationship Counsellor in 2000, going on to obtain my Graduate Diploma in Counselling at Keele University.
I have thirteen years counselling experience working with couples and individuals, six of which I spent working as the only counsellor within a large organisation where I dealt with many personal and occupational health issues presented by employees.

I have my own private practice and am also employed as an Affiliate Counsellor with several Employee Assistance Organisations. (Establishments who contract with companies and organisations to provide telephone and face to face counselling for their employees.)

If you have a question or issue that you would like to talk through, then do please contact me. (My landline telephone does not accept "with held number" calls.) You may perhaps find that an initial chat over the telephone will allow you to make a more informed decision as to whether counselling is right for you at this time.

If I am with a client you will not be able to contact me, but do please leave me a message and I will call you back just as soon as I am able.
Please be reassured that confidentiality will be maintained as your message will only be heard by myself.

I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and abide by their code of ethics.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications.
Graduate Diploma in Counselling (Keele University) 2005.
Couples Counsellor qualified (Relate trained) 2000.
Ongoing Professional Development.
Child and adolescent counselling skills. 2009/2010
Working with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. (Distance Learning) 2007/8
Diploma in Counselling, Psychology and Psychotherapy. (Distance Learning) 2002/2003.
Certificate in Working with Eating Disorders. (Distance Learning)
2001/2002.
NVQ. Level 4 in Management Studies.
2001/2002
Additional training.
Stafford and District Bereavement and Loss. 1996/1997
Emerge (Part of NHS Trust, based at St George's hospital Stafford) Working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. 1995/1997

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Lack of confidence /Self-esteem.
Assertiveness skills.
Communication skills.
Parenting skills. (Including looking at how the client's perception of their own childhood experience of being parented may be influencing the present.)
Problem solving.
Unresolved / unprocessed issues from childhood which may have caused developmental problems.
Childhood /Adult sexual and or physical abuse

Fees

The sessions are one hour and my fee is £40 per session.
Organisations / Insurance work, fees from £45 per hour/session.

Further Information

I work long and short term and will also carry out home visits dependant upon circumstances and distance involved, however, my fee will be increased to reflect the mileage and extra travelling time.

I work with individuals, adolescents, couples (heterosexual and same sex relationships) and organisations. I also have mediation (conflict resolution) skills.

Having extensive knowledge and understanding relating to "Family Systems" I am acutely aware how childhood can impact and affect the emotional development of the children within that family (Life Stages/ Fixation)
Such information may conceivably be helpful in as much as it can allow for an understanding of how the past influences and affects the here and now as well as maybe shaping the future.

Member Organisation(s)

Published Articles

• Transactional Analysis