Ruth Benson

Verified Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

MBACP (Accred)
Leicester LE2 & Manchester M26

About me

About Me

Welcome to my profile. I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor with 21 years of experience, including 13 years working within the NHS. This has given me many thousands of hours working with people facing a wide range of mental health and life difficulties.

Having recently taken early retirement from the NHS, I now have more time to devote to my private practice, offering face-to-face counselling in Leicester and online counselling across the UK.

I offer a quiet, confidential space where you can talk things through without judgement, pressure or expectation, and begin to make sense of what you are going through.

Many of my clients see me for help with depression and anxiety, bereavement and loss, relationship problems and workplace stress. I have also developed a particular interest in working with people going through major life transitions that affect their sense of self and identity. Feel free to ask me if you'd like to know more about this kind of work.

I have developed a style of counselling which, I am told, offers a high level of warmth and support. My role is not to judge you, but to work closely with you and help you explore what is troubling you. I may also use relaxation techniques to help with anxiety or more creative methods where these are helpful.

My aim is to help you find your own resources for coping with your difficulties. From my many years of working with clients, I truly believe that counselling can offer a new perspective and help you develop a stronger sense of yourself.

Counselling for Workplace Issues

Alongside my NHS work and private practice, I have extensive experience working with professionals in high-responsibility roles, particularly within the public sector. Over the years, I have provided counselling for NHS staff, Greater Manchester Police, teaching staff and Foreign Office employees. I also work with private-sector employees, particularly within law and media.

I have a particular interest in supporting people experiencing burnout, emotional fatigue, loss of confidence or difficulties around identity related to demanding professional roles. I have a special interest and considerable experience in working with teaching staff.

Women and Personal Growth

Over the many years I have been counselling, I have enjoyed working with women from diverse backgrounds as they approach different life changes. This might be following an important life transition such as starting a family, wanting to improve self-esteem or relationships, becoming more assertive, or dealing with a loss such as divorce or 'empty nest syndrome'.

I am happy to work with you calmly on whatever you bring to therapy and help you find your own resources for coping with what is troubling you.

Training and Experience

I obtained my Certificate and Diploma in Counselling at Salford University in 2005.

I also have over five years' experience counselling victims of crime and domestic violence for Victim Support. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and have achieved BACP Accredited status, which means I am bound by its professional and ethical standards.

My preferred model of working is Person-Centred therapy, working in a non-directive way. I also hold a Certificate in CBT and can offer clients a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy perspective where appropriate.

In 2024, I completed further training in Person-Centred Counselling for Depression, gaining an Advanced Certificate with Distinction.

Contact Me

If you would like an informal and confidential chat to see whether I can offer the type of counselling you are looking for, please feel free to call or email me. I will reply as soon as possible.

07967 752790

Training, qualifications & experience

Advanced  Certificate with distinction in Person-centred Experiential Counselling for Depression -2024

OU/BACP Counselling online a coronavirus primer 2020 - CPD

Certificate in Supervision 2018 - The Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy

Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral therapy - 2011

Safeguarding children - Manchester city council 2009

Neurological understanding of Post traumatic stress disorder - Salford university 2007

CBT approaches to Post traumatic Stress disorder - Salford university 2007

Supporting victims of Domestic violence - Victim Support 2007

Diploma in Counselling - Salford university 2005

Certificate in Counselling with distinction  - Salford university 2003

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Bereavment

Relationship issues

Womens issues

Work place stress

Abuse

Parenting

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£60.00 - £75.00
Free initial telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

Session prices start at £65.00

Ask me regarding concessions 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Telephone Counselling and on line Counselling

Daytime appointments : Monday, Thursday and Friday, Evening appointments : 

Thursdays Face to face appointments available

Further information


I have a particular interest and experience in working with workplace difficulties, and work for an Employment Assistance Programme that provides support to public sector employees including GMP, NHS and Media groups. 

NHS and Healthcare staff, public sector staff, teaching staff.

If you wish to discuss my experience with these client group's or I can offer you help or advice please call me for a confidential chat.

108 Queens Road, Clarendon Park, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 3FL

92 Stand Lane, Radcliffe, Manchester, Lancashire, M26 1JU

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Groups
Employee Assistance Programme