Lifeworks Therapy Lounge

Counselling, Psychotherapy and Clinical Supervision in Astley, Greater Manchester


About Me

Hi, I'm Ruth!

Before training as a psychological therapist, I worked for almost twenty years as an NHS Biomedical Scientist specialising in Microbiology. Nowadays, in addition to offering private practice sessions at Lifeworks Therapy Lounge, I also work part-time with the emergency services.

Prior to this, I worked in a variety of settings, and with a wide range of individuals. I have experience working with the Samaritans, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, NHS IAPT services providing counselling to children and young persons, in a Lancashire Drug and Alcohol service, in a variety of charitable sector settings and in a Tier 3 NHS weight management service.

I have worked therapeutically with a diverse group of individuals, from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and who have been struggling with anxiety, family & relationship issues, depression, panic attacks, work-related problems, self-harm, sexual abuse, bereavement, anger, low self-esteem, loneliness, trauma, suicidal feelings and more. Although your issue/s may fit in to one or more of these categories, I do believe everyone’s problems are unique and prefer not to use medicalised labels unless you want me to.

What happens in therapy?

I provide a warm, human and professional service, in a safe and supportive, non-judgmental environment. I value your worth as an individual, which is expressed through my continued efforts to build a trusting, therapeutic relationship. I believe that this therapeutic relationship is a collaborative process in which we work together to best meet your individual needs.

I work as an integrative counsellor. This means that I can combine ideas and insights, drawn from different counselling theories, in order to tailor sessions that will best support you. This approach supports my philosophy that each person is unique and that no single approach suits all. At no point will I tell you what to do. By offering you understanding, respect and acceptance, together we can explore the issues that are important to you, so that we can work towards a more positive future. I have a straight-forward, honest and caring attitude. My style of counselling, put simply, is about supporting you to gain perspective and understanding of how you think, feel and behave, how you approach difficulties in your life, and how you can feel more in control..

A little about my professional background

I received my BSc. (Hons) in Psychology through the Open University in 2007 and in 2012 received my MA in Counselling at Manchester University. I am an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) as well as a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). I have a special interest in psychological trauma and in particular; recovery from narcissistic abuse. If you want to see more, check out the FAQ's page.