About me
Do you feel like your relationship with your partner has changed since having children?
Right now you might be struggling to have a conversation with your partner without snapping at them. Or only ever seem to talk about whose turn it is to take out the bins...
You might feel that there has been a distance between you since having children. Having sex might feel like a chore or seem like a distant memory and you're not sure how to find your way back to each other.
You might be sick to the back teeth of going around in circles and having the same arguments again and again about whose day was harder or whose fault something was.
I imagine you have tried being more patient with each other. You have tried scheduling more date nights and you have read the books. Nothing seems to be helping.
Why work with me
I'm a postnatal therapist and specialise in working with individuals and couples with little kids (and beyond!). This phase of life is a really common time for problems to start in a relationship because when a baby arrives, everything changes. Your sleep, your body, how you spend your time. And it's a lot! And while you're busy keeping a tiny human alive, somewhere along the road you might start to feel more like people who just happen to share a house rather than partners.
This doesn't mean that there's anything fundamentally wrong with your relationship! It's just that somewhere along the way you have forgotten how to actually be with each other. And that's where I come in.
How I Can Help
I provide a warm, judgment-free space where we'll work together to unpick what is actually happening in the relationship. The couples I work with find that having a gentle outside perspective can be so, so helpful when working out why they seem to keep going around in circles.
I'll also give you practical tools and new ways to look at things so that you have a road map for how to move forward and clear things to practise at home in between sessions.
How things can change
The couples I work with notice that the small things start to shift first. The conversations that don't end in stale mate. The moment one of you reaches for the other's hand without thinking about it. Getting through a difficult week and realising that you handled it together. Actually starting to look forward to family time or time alone as a couple.
It's not magic (and it won't happen overnight) but it is real and it is possible and it starts with one conversation.
Taking the First Step
Reaching out is often the hardest part, especially when things feel raw or you're not sure where to start. My free 20 minute call is just a conversation. We'll talk about what's been going on and what you'd love things to look like instead. We can also get a feel for whether working together feels right. There's no pressure or commitment. It's just that gentle first step.
To get started, click on the link below to choose your time. Please do send me a message if you can't find a time that works for you and I'll have another look at my diary.
https://zcal.co/ruthrenouf
My counselling room is in Formby, easily accessible from Crosby, Ainsdale, and Southport (free on-street parking is available).
Training, qualifications & experience
- Level 7 postgraduate diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling (distinction)
- Certificate in Couples Counselling (Counselling Academy)
- Certified postnatal doula (Younique Postnatal)
- Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Virtual Multi-Agency Awareness Training - Institute of Health Visiting
- Supporting families experiencing pregnancy loss or the death of their baby - SANDS
- Volunteer in the closed Facebook group for the postnatal mental health charity PANDAS (2021-2022)
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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 National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£75.00 per session
Additional information
Couples therapy: £75/ hour.
When I work
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Further information
My counselling room is located near the centre of Formby. There is free on-street parking available.
To find out if we might be a good fit to work together, you are welcome to book a free 20 minute Zoom or phone call. To book, please enquire by email and I'll send over the booking link.
