Dr Michelle Ruger
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
About me
I am a Chartered Psychologist (BPS) offering therapy to individuals, couples, children and families. I have experience working with a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, bereavement, addiction, eating disorders, relationship problems, stress, burnout, PTSD, existential crisis and many more mental health issues which are detailed below. I am also a senior lecturer on the subject of contemporary psychotherapeutic practice and clinical research for a highly regarded clinical doctoral programme in London.
How I work
For many individuals, the decision to seek therapy can feel like a daunting experience, and so I strive to make people feel as comfortable and at ease as possible from the very first session. In my view, the success of any therapeutic work is largely dependent upon the quality of the therapeutic relationship. With this in mind, my approach is always aimed at facilitating a genuine, honest and real engagement with my clients, founded upon trust, care and openness that allows for exploration of personal and sensitive issues within a safe and confidential therapeutic space.
Qualifications, training and experience
I am trained to Doctoral level in a variety of therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) including mindfulness based models, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Person Centred Therapy and Gestalt. My training has supported me in my aim to offer a service that will meet your individual needs whether it is longer or short term therapy.
I have combined my Doctoral level of understanding of these models with rigorous past and ongoing experience, that allows me to work with you in a way that suits your particular needs. I have several years of experience working with different client groups across a wide range of settings (NHS, private and charity sectors) including primary, secondary, inpatient and forensic services. My experience therefore has involved working with varying levels of human distress that have included both short and long-term therapeutic interventions.
How can therapy help?
There are many reasons why someone might benefit from therapy. It can enable people to understand and gain insight into their relationship patterns and difficulties, improve self esteem, find motivation to change challenging and entrenched habits and generally support one to discover a sense of meaning, passion and purpose in their lives, helping them to take stock of their current predicaments.
Where is my practice based
My practice is based across 2 locations within Surrey and London. These are as follows:
- Frimley Green
- London
There is free parking at each of the sites.
Training, qualifications & experience
Professional Qualifications and Training
- Doctorate in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology gained from the University of Surrey (PsychD)
- MSc in Clinical Psychology gained from the University of Southampton
- BSc (Hons) in Psychology gained from the University of Surrey
Experience
I have several years of experience working across NHS, charity and private settings with individuals with a variety of different mental health difficulties including eating disorders, phobias, anxiety disorder such as OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and personality disorders.
In addition to my private practice, I currently work as a Specialist Counselling Psychologist in a general hospital in the NHS, as part of a physical health team. In this role I offer group and individual psychotherapy to patients who are suffering with severe and enduring illnesses, as well as chronic pain. I also work as a lecturer on a doctoral programme, in this role I lecture trainee psychologists on the subject of psychotherapeutic practice and clinical research.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
- Initial telephone consultation free of charge
- Limited concession rates available upon request
- £100 per hour for individual sessions
- £200 per hour for couples
Payment is required in full on the day of our appointment by cash or bank transfer. Monthly invoicing can be arranged upon request for ongoing clients
Cancellation Policy: I require 48 hours notice for all cancellations otherwise full cost applies.
When I work
Please phone to discuss availability
