Ruth Baker

I have been working as a counsellor and psychotherapist for over 25 years. I graduated with a psychology degree where developmental psychology and attachment theory caught my attention. It made sense that our early years have a significant impact on how we form relationships and how we are in the world. I took a brief diversion into other worlds before pursuing the interests of my degree, training as both a counsellor, as a social worker /probation officer, psychotherapy and supervisor. I have a breadth of experience working with a wide range of people in different organisational settings as well working in organisational development, service development, redesign and operational management. My passion has always been in improving the experience of the users on the ground.

I practiced Tai Chi for many years which gave me a deep understanding of body awareness and how somatic experiences interplay with the psychological. I have an ongoing spiritual practice which informs my work and understanding of depth psychology. I actively connect with the natural world by simply being in nature. Listening, watching, being. How we relate to the natural world and what manifests from this can be a mirror and source of learning for our inner selves. My hope is as we heal the places of hurt, despair and isolation we create something stronger and more beautiful.

Life is a learning experience I have undertaken post graduate study in psychotherapy from an integrative Transactional Analysis perspective, couples work, organisational development and coaching, supervision, different theoretical perspectives including training as a Mindfulness teacher, Process Oriented Psychology, CBT, Solution Focussed, EFT, Somatic Trauma work and more. I am a teacher and supervisor of Sandplay Therapy and Therapeutic Art.

We humans often lack compassion for ourselves, I aim to bring a compassionate focus to our work and lives.

I work across a broad range of issues.

I mainly work with individuals and couples from the age of 18 upwards. My oldest clients have been in their 80’s. I enjoy working across the age range. Clients (individuals and couples) present with a range of issues or simply a desire to know themselves better and focus upon their inner work and world.

Many people attend when life has become unbearable or in response to a crisis. They need support in making new decisions in finding different ways of living. They may simply be looking for a way of getting to know themselves better.

The role of the counsellor and psychotherapist is to help a person work to gain a fresh perspective and enable them to live a more fulfilled and positive life.

Counselling and psychotherapy are similar in approach. Counselling is generally concerned with working through day-to-day issues which are of a more conscious nature. These issues are worked with in a sensitive, compassionate and non-judgemental way.

Counselling contracts tend to be shorter term.

Psychotherapy is more concerned with getting under the surface of the problem or issues. It is concerned with a deeper transformation. People often present when they are feeling ‘stuck’ in a familiar pattern of thinking, feeling or behaviour. It may be the person does not know what is troubling them, but they are aware something is wrong. The work is often an exploratory process to support the person in finding new insights into their lives.

Psychotherapy contracts tend to be longer term and work at greater depth.

A good therapeutic outcome will always depend upon the quality of the relationship between the therapist and client.

Appointments are usually weekly, sometimes twice weekly depending upon need. This work requires a significant commitment from both parties.

Individual sessions are usually 50 minutes and couples’ sessions 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

With individual clients and potential supervisees I usually have a telephone conversation or brief meeting. The purpose of this is to gain a sense as to whether we are the ‘right fit’ for each other. We will also discuss fees and my cancellation policy. It is an opportunity for you to ask some questions however most people simply rely upon their sense of how the conversation goes.

If we agree to work together, I will usually begin the first full session by taking an outline of your personal circumstances and history and agreeing a therapeutic contract.

This is not an absolute – sometimes people arrive so ‘full’ we start at a place where there is most need.

With couples I tend not to offer a brief initial meeting – we simply set up an initial first session

I have been working as a counsellor and psychotherapist for 25+ years. I graduated with a psychology degree where developmental psychology and attachment theory caught my attention. It made sense that our early years have a significant impact on how we form relationships and how we are in the world. I took a brief diversion into other worlds before pursuing the interests of my degree, training as both a counsellor, as a social worker /probation officer, psychotherapy and supervisor. I have a breadth of experience working with a wide range of people in different organisational settings as well working in organisational development, service development, redesign and operational management. My passion has always been in improving the experience of the users on the ground.

I practiced Tai Chi for many years which gave me a deep understanding of body awareness and how somatic experiences interplay with the psychological. I have an ongoing spiritual practice which informs my work and understanding of depth psychology. I actively connect with the natural world by simply being in nature. Listening, watching, being. How we relate to the natural world and what manifests from this can be a mirror and source of learning for our inner selves. My hope is as we heal the places of hurt, despair and isolation we create something stronger and more beautiful.

Life is a learning experience I have undertaken post graduate study in psychotherapy from an integrative Transactional Analysis perspective, couples work, organisational development and coaching, supervision, different theoretical perspectives including training as a Mindfulness teacher, Process Oriented Psychology, CBT, Solution Focussed, EFT, Somatic Trauma work and more. I am a teacher and supervisor of sandplay therapy and therapeutic art.

We humans often lack compassion for ourselves, I aim to bring a compassionate focus to our work and lives.

I work across a broad range of issues.

I mainly work with individuals and couples from the age of 18 upwards. My oldest clients have been in their 80’s. I enjoy working across the age range. Clients (individuals and couples) present to me with a range of issues or simply a desire to know themselves better and focus upon their inner work and world.

Many people attend when life has become unbearable or in response to a crisis. They need support in making new decisions in finding different ways of living. They may simply be looking for a way of getting to know themselves better.

The role of the counsellor and psychotherapist is to help a person work to gain a fresh perspective and enable them to live a more fulfilled and positive life.

Counselling and psychotherapy are similar in approach. Counselling is generally concerned with working through day-to-day issues which are of a more conscious nature. These issues are worked with in a sensitive, compassionate and non-judgemental way.

Counselling contracts tend to be shorter term.

Psychotherapy is more concerned with getting under the surface of the problem or issues. It is concerned with a deeper transformation. People often present when they are feeling ‘stuck’ in a familiar pattern of thinking, feeling or behaviour. It may be the person does not know what is troubling them, but they are aware something is wrong. The work is often an exploratory process to support the person in finding new insights into their lives.

Psychotherapy contracts tend to be longer term and work at greater depth.

A good therapeutic outcome will always depend upon the quality of the relationship between the therapist and client.

Appointments are usually weekly, sometimes twice weekly depending upon need. This work requires a significant commitment from both parties.

Individual sessions are usually 50 minutes and couples’ sessions 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

With individual clients and potential supervisees I usually have a telephone conversation or brief meeting. The purpose of this is to gain a sense as to whether we are the ‘right fit’ for each other. We will also discuss fees and my cancellation policy. It is an opportunity for you to ask some questions however most people simply rely upon their sense of how the conversation goes.

If we agree to work together, I will usually begin the first full session by taking an outline of your personal circumstances and history and agreeing a therapeutic contract.

This is not an absolute – sometimes people arrive so ‘full’ we start at a place where there is most need.

With couples I tend not to offer a brief initial meeting – we simply set up an initial first session. 

I offer training in Integrative Sandplay Therapy and Therapeutic Art through the Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists. Foundation through to Diploma / Advanced Diploma and CPD courses. These courses are offered in Devon at The Nautilus Rooms in Totnes which hosts an extensive collection of sandplay symbols and further afield. Bespoke courses can be arranged to meet the needs of organisations. 

I offer foundation through to diploma level training in integrative sandplay therapy and therapeutic art. I also offer creative therapies cpd. My courses are offered through the Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists. I also offer courses to organisations in the UK and further afield. 

www.sandplaytherapy.co.uk

I have been working as a counsellor and psychotherapist for 25+ years. I graduated with a psychology degree where developmental psychology and attachment theory caught my attention. It made sense that our early years have a significant impact on how we form relationships and how we are in the world. I took a brief diversion into other worlds before pursuing the interests of my degree, training as both a counsellor, as a social worker /probation officer, psychotherapy and supervisor. I have a breadth of experience working with a wide range of people in different organisational settings as well working in organisational development, service development, redesign and operational management. My passion has always been in improving the experience of the users on the ground.

I practiced Tai Chi for many years which gave me a deep understanding of body awareness and how somatic experiences interplay with the psychological. I have an ongoing spiritual practice which informs my work and understanding of depth psychology. I actively connect with the natural world by simply being in nature. Listening, watching, being. How we relate to the natural world and what manifests from this can be a mirror and source of learning for our inner selves. My hope is as we heal the places of hurt, despair and isolation we create something stronger and more beautiful.

Life is a learning experience I have undertaken post graduate study in psychotherapy from an integrative Transactional Analysis perspective, couples work, organisational development and coaching, supervision, different theoretical perspectives including training as a Mindfulness teacher, Process Oriented Psychology, CBT, Solution Focussed, EFT, Somatic Trauma work and more. I am a teacher and supervisor of sandplay therapy and therapeutic art.

We humans often lack compassion for ourselves, I aim to bring a compassionate focus to our work and lives.

I work across a broad range of issues.

It is my belief that all professionals working with people can benefit from a facilitated space to reflect upon their practice. This is relevant for a whole range of people including counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, trainees, coaches and other professionals e.g., doctors, solicitors, care providers, massage therapists, acupuncturists, cranio sacral workers etc.

I provide 1:1 and group supervision where issues can be raised in a supportive non-judgmental environment. Supervision can provide a place for high levels of support and challenge. It can also be an opportunity for learning. It is a safe and confidential space to work through difficulties, to develop as a professional, to celebrate success. Supervision provides a place to support the development of self-awareness in the practitioner. Sometimes it is simply a place to invite other perspectives and to share the load. This process can be used to look at practice development, team working, individual clients, general difficulties in the work and workplace. It can be an essential source of support when difficulties present for individuals and organisations. Sometimes these difficulties may be of a personal nature. I enjoy the breadth of the supervision work I do – working with trainees and those who have been in practice for many years. All these experiences are enriching for me as well as work in organisations and charities. I am registered with the Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists as a supervisor.

I am based in South Devon and work from Totnes and TQ9 5HN. I also offer supervision on line and over the phone in the UK and internationally. 

Supervision can vary from weekly, fortnightly, monthly , 6 weekly - whatever is needed in your situation. Usually for 50 - 90 minutes. 

With individual clients and potential supervisees I usually have a telephone conversation or brief meeting. The purpose of this is to gain a sense as to whether we are the ‘right fit’ for each other. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions or simply 'sound me out'. 

We will also discuss fees and my cancellation policy.  

I have been working as a counsellor and psychotherapist for over 25 years. I graduated with a psychology degree where developmental psychology and attachment theory caught my attention. It made sense that our early years have a significant impact on how we form relationships and how we are in the world. I took a brief diversion into other worlds before pursuing the interests of my degree, training as both a counsellor, as a social worker /probation officer, psychotherapy and supervisor. I have a breadth of experience working with a wide range of people in different organisational settings as well working in organisational development, service development, redesign and operational management. My passion has always been in improving the experience of the users on the ground.

I practiced Tai Chi for many years which gave me a deep understanding of body awareness and how somatic experiences interplay with the psychological. I have an ongoing spiritual practice which informs my work and understanding of depth psychology. I actively connect with the natural world by simply being in nature. Listening, watching, being. How we relate to the natural world and what manifests from this can be a mirror and source of learning for our inner selves. My hope is as we heal the places of hurt, despair and isolation we create something stronger and more beautiful.

Life is a learning experience I have undertaken post graduate study in psychotherapy from an integrative Transactional Analysis perspective, couples work, organisational development and coaching, supervision, different theoretical perspectives including training as a Mindfulness teacher, Process Oriented Psychology, CBT, Solution Focussed, EFT, Somatic Trauma work and more. I am a teacher and supervisor of sandplay therapy and therapeutic art.

We humans often lack compassion for ourselves, I aim to bring a compassionate focus to our work and lives.

I work across a broad range of issues.

It is my belief that all professionals working with people can benefit from a facilitated space to reflect upon their practice. This is relevant for a whole range of people including counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, trainees, coaches and other professionals e.g., doctors, solicitors, care providers, massage therapists, acupuncturists, cranio sacral workers etc.

I provide 1:1 and group supervision where issues can be raised in a supportive non-judgmental environment. Supervision can provide a place for high levels of support and challenge. It can also be an opportunity for learning. It is a safe and confidential space to work through difficulties, to develop as a professional, to celebrate success. Supervision provides a place to support the development of self-awareness in the practitioner. Sometimes it is simply a place to invite other perspectives and to share the load. This process can be used to look at practice development, team working, individual clients, general difficulties in the work and workplace. It can be an essential source of support when difficulties present for individuals and organisations. Sometimes these difficulties may be of a personal nature. I enjoy the breadth of the supervision work I do – working with trainees and those who have been in practice for many years. All these experiences are enriching for me as well as work in organisations and charities. I am registered with the Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists as a supervisor.

I am based in South Devon and work from Totnes and TQ9 5HN. I also offer supervision on line and over the phone in the UK and internationally.

Supervision can vary from weekly, fortnightly, monthly , 6 weekly - whatever is needed in your situation. Usually for 50 - 90 minutes. 

With individual clients and potential supervisees I usually have a telephone conversation or brief meeting. The purpose of this is to gain a sense as to whether we are the ‘right fit’ for each other. To find out what it is you are looking for in terms of supervision and reflection. We will look at times and timings. We will also discuss fees, my cancellation policy and anything else which is relevant.  It is an opportunity for you to ask some questions however most people simply rely upon their sense of how the conversation goes.