Ruth Silverstone

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.

PG Dip Psychotherapy & Counselling

About me

About me

Hi, I’m Ruth & I’m a fully qualified, BACP-registered integrative psychotherapist offering face-to-face therapy in North and East London, as well as online sessions across the UK. This work is my passion because I believe change is possible. I’m invested in it and curious to help individuals to discover what change might mean to them. During our work together, you are the most important person in the room. 

You don’t need to have the “right words” or even a clear reason for starting therapy. Some people know exactly what they want to explore, and others aren’t sure where to begin. However you arrive at therapy is completely okay. 

My approach is calm, collaborative and flexible. I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches to tailor our work to you: your pace, your needs, and what feels most supportive.

Costs

£45- £70 (online sessions start at £45)

Availability

Thursday and Friday evenings and Sunday daytime.  Online slots Monday and Wednesday evenings. Just get in touch via email or arrange a free introductory call and we can take it from there.

Why you might be here

Life is complicated and complex, and it can be hard to deal with things on your own.  

I work with clients aged 18 to 90 across many areas, including 

  • Depression or low mood
  • Anxiety or persistent worry
  • Domestic abuse
  • Childhood and adult trauma
  • Grief, bereavement and loss
  • Loneliness
  • Low self esteem  
  • Exploring sexual identity
  • Diagnoses of ADHD or autism
  • Alcohol and substance misuse
  • Relationship issues or breakdowns
  • Work stress
  • Family pressures
  • Cultural and religious pressures

Experiences like these can feel deeply overwhelming, and therapy can provide the space to explore, process, and make sense of what you’ve been through and what you’re going through. These experiences might stem from current challenges or earlier life events that still shape how you feel.

Whether your concerns feel ‘big’ or ‘small’, I believe everyone deserves to be seen and heard. You’ll be met without judgement in a safe, confidential space. We’ll work together to navigate life’s challenges in a way that feels healthier, calmer, and more manageable.

How It Works

Step 1 - Free 30-minute introductory chat
We’ll have a online or phone chat to see if working together feels right. No commitment required. In fact, I encourage you to “shop around” to find the therapist who’s right for you.

Step 2 - Trial session
Your first session aims to give you a gentle way to start exploring therapy.

Step 3 - Ongoing sessions
If it feels right, we can meet:

Weekly or fortnightly
For 50-minute sessions
In-person or online (whatever fits your life)
Open-ended or fixed number of sessions - we’ll decide together. There’s never any pressure to continue.

Therapy is flexible. Many people find regular sessions help build understanding and long-term change. Some people prefer face-to-face therapy because it offers a consistent space away from everyday life, while online sessions can provide greater flexibility.

You don’t need to have the perfect words when reaching out. A simple message saying hello is enough.

Training, qualifications & experience

People often ask about the difference between a Psychotherapist, Counsellor, or Counselling Psychologist. While the titles reflect different training routes, the aim is the same - to support you through life’s challenges.

I’m a fully qualified, BACP-registered integrative Psychotherapist with a Post Grad Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy from the University of East London. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from London Metropolitan University and am a trained teacher. 

By integrative, I mean that I’m trained in the main therapeutic theories and approaches. This allows me to draw on different models and adapt our work in the way that feels most helpful and supportive for you.

My work so far has been in various contexts across a wide range of ages. Recent organisations I've worked for have been focused on grief and bereavement, anxiety, depression and stress. 

My background is in training and adult education including assessing university students for the Disabled Students Allowance. I currently maintain my therapy practice alongside my work as an accredited funeral celebrant and from my professional as well as my own experiences of grief and loss I get what it is to live with life altering loss. My sense of “otherness” is largely informed by my sexuality as a lesbian, and so, knowing what it is to feel different informs every aspect of my practice. 

I love what I do. As a client of therapy myself, I know how difficult the work can be, but I credit it for much of the peace and contentment I enjoy day to day now. I hope to do the same for you. 

Training, qualifications & experience

My Qualifications

  • PG Dip in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy - University of East London
  • Accredited Funeral Celebrant - Humanists UK
  • BSc Hons Health Studies – London Metropolitan University

Memberships

  • British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy 
  • Member: Humanists UK

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

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£45.00 - £70.00

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed

Additional information

I try to be as flexible as possible with regards to fees. Please feel free to discuss your needs with me. 

Further information

Kirk Road, London, Greater London, E17

2 Shelburne Road, London, Greater London, N7 6DL

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone
Home visits

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Wheelchair access is not possible at either location.

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom
Google Meet