Ruth Osborne

Essentially, counselling and psychotherapy offer us an opportunity to learn about ourselves. And never more so than when it seems hard to cope with the emotional challenges that are often part of everyday life. At these times we may feel on our own, stuck and unsure of which way to turn. It may also be difficult to find someone we can trust and who will understand, or, in such a busy world, someone who has the time to listen. This is when a counsellor or a psychotherapist can help. I offer a calm, caring, safe, respectful and confidential space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings. This can be done by reflecting on your life experiences, but also who you are as a human being; your dreams, desires, values, aspirations and hopes for the future. There are as many reasons for seeking counselling and psychotherapy as there are people. Maybe you have been feeling sad or upset for a while, or you have experienced a recent stressful event or painful anniversary. Maybe you have noticed that your past experiences appear to be somehow interlinked , or that old and familiar patterns are getting in the way of the changes you want to make in your life. Whichever are your concerns, I believe everyone, including you, is special and unique. Therefore, it will be important to think about you as a whole and individual person, and not just about the 'symptom' or the initial reason that led you to seek counselling or psychotherapy. It may also be meaningful to consider the community in which you live and work, and your wider environment and world view. It is only through self-discovery and working out our difficulties, be that problems with relationships, feelings of depression, anxiety or stress, that we get to learn about ourselves and truly understand how e want to live our life.

'It is a joy to be hidden, and a disaster not to be found.' 

D. Winnicott

I am a fully trained counsellor and psychotherapist. I completed a rigorous five year postgraduate psychodynamic psychotherapy training at Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF) Therapy, one of the leading academic and clinical training institutes in the UK. This training is also accredited by the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC), the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the University of Roehampton.

I have also undertaken a year long course in 'Transitions: Adolescence to Adulthood' at the Society of Analytical Psychology (SAP). The training focused on working with people who are 18 - 25 years of age and covered areas such as sexuality, gender, eating disorders, body dysphoria, identity and cyberspace.

"The art of people is a true mirror of their minds"

Jawaharial Nehru

Originally, I trained as an artist and illustrator. After a number of years working freelance, I went on to develop community art projects and summer schemes for children and young people. I then retrained and worked with children and young people (and their families) who have complex needs and challenging lives. Much of the latter work took place in educational settings and the youth justice system.

My approach to counselling and psychotherapy focuses on you as a whole person and what you bring to each session, each week.  With that in mind, we would then start to make sense of what underlies your thoughts and feelings, and the difficulties you are experiencing. This may not be easy, and it may mean that it takes time to come to terms with the frustrations and loses. Together, we would then discover new perspectives and possibilities available to you.

"Keep speaking the years from their hiding places.

keep coughing up smoke from all the deaths you have died.

keep the rage tender

because the soft season will come

it will come"

Nayyirah Waheed

I offer open ended counselling and psychotherapy which last for as long as you need, and short-term for around 12 sessions. Each session last for 50 minutes and is at the same time on the same day each week. 

I also offer therapy on-line and over the phone.

The cost of sessions is on a sliding scale, and dependant on your financial or personal situation. Fees are agreed at the beginning, along with your chosen method of payment, which includes cash, cheque or bank transfer.

I do offer some reduced fee/low income sessions to young adults up to the age of 21, but this is subject to availability.

Once I hear from you, I will contact you within one working day to arrange a time for us to talk on the phone. If you want to proceed, we will then arrange to meet for an initial consultation to discuss what you are looking for and how we might work together.

Once we have agreed to work together, your session will be reserved just for you. Therefore, payment for all missed sessions is essential, so as to offer security and consistency. However, you will not be charged for sessions when I am unavailable to meet with you, such as my holiday period; two week in March/April, two to three weeks in August/September and two weeks in December/January, or other exceptional circumstances. In all cases, and where possible, you will be given plenty of notice.

If, during the initial consultation, you feel that counselling or psychotherapy does not best suit your needs at this time, then I will endeavour to help you to seek the most appropriate support. Also, once we start you can cancel at any time. However, I do ask that you give four weeks' notice so we have time to think about ending.