Ruth Barnes

ONWARD COUNSELLING - Ruth Barnes, Cambridgeshire.

I will be welcoming new clients in November 2026 (please make contact, a waiting list is available. Regular updates will be sent).

My availability in November will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some Fridays between 10am and 3pm. Other times might be available, please reach out and ask.

I predominantly support with Online Counselling and Student Mentoring across the UK. Making Online therapy and study support accessible for all, no matter the distance.

Face to face Counselling and Student Mentoring sessions will open in Spring 2027 via my practice space as 'Onward Counselling'. Reach out and get added to the waiting list for localised support, updates and opening details.

Please get in touch for more information and online availability. 

Welcome! I'm Ruth, the founder of Onward Counselling in Cambridgeshire. 

I specialise in empathetic and connective Person-Centred Therapy and Trainee Counselling Student Mentoring. 

Person-Centred Therapy means YOU are at the centre of our work. The theory strongly believes (as do I) that many solutions to your challenges are within. Are they easy to find? Not often! That's where my support and help come into play. We will find your solutions together.

I will walk beside you within your world, seeing your life, experiences, feelings and personal insights from your perspective. Creating a supportive, non-judgemental, trusting space to truly explore yourself deeply and safely.

Over time not only might you start to heal and move further away from any misplaced shame, pain, hurt or discomfort but you might also begin to trust yourself and your instincts. Which is pretty awesome! Driving your life 'Onward' in the direction you've wanted to go. Feeling less stuck and truly growing into your potential.

Your counselling could change your life, permanently. It can change the way you feel, the way you have been seen and how you have been heard. It is an active element in choosing to move forward. A process of travelling 'Onward'.

Counselling Student Mentoring - Students need a safe space to grow too! I teach Adult Education classes in an Introduction to Counselling Skills and Level 2 in Counselling Skills and Theory in Cambridge. I have a comprehensive experience of teaching and training within the Counselling profession.

Student Mentoring will offer a confidential space to discuss personal and professional growth, course challenges, peer and course dynamics. Moving you 'Onward' through your studies with empathy, understanding and regard for your individual approach and practices. 

Student Mentoring sessions start from £20 for 30 minutes.

At Onward Counselling, together we will travel through the areas in life that are causing you pain and difficulties, the moments that are pausing you in motion, and the areas you've hoped to be a little different.

For therapy to be successful, not only commitment and dedication is needed from us both, but a sense and want to explore. To unload. To be open to feeling seen and heard. To face the moments that have installed fear and trauma within us, and at times to be gently challenged. It's not always easy, yet it is so rewarding!

I am passionate about self-care and informing personal boundaries to look after and accept ourselves and each other. By implementing these strategies into our therapeutic work, you can start to develop a further sense of self-worth, identity and confidence.

Attending counselling is truly a process and it's not often linier. It can be a bumpy, windy road with a few hair pins and potholes chucked in for good measure! I will aim to keep you on the road, guiding and holding your space with understanding, care and validation. Pointing out at times, the amazing view, and how far you have travelled.

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Onward Student Mentoring - I will provide a confidential space to support and guide with counselling courses from Certificate level 2 to level 4. Creating together further clarity, understanding of course journals, criteria, assignments, presentations and examinations/assessments. 

A safe place to discuss, seek guidance and navigate your way through your studies, at your pace. Developing your learning style, knowledge and practices throughout your training journey. Supporting with the pressures and difficulties that studying can bring when balancing life, work and counselling training. 

Onward Counselling - Every client is offered a free 15 minute telephone consultation.

We will discuss what is happening for you, your current challenges and your expectations, whilst briefly exploring what working together might feel like.

Our first session will unpack what's next at your own pace. We will talk through our working relationship agreement and contract in full and discuss any questions you might have unanswered.

If my work and practices inspire you to explore yourself and your challenges, to make the first step, the biggest step, I'll be there to welcome you.

Reach out to me and gain some further information.

I hope to hear all about you.

Ruth

"Sometimes knowing that something feels difficult is reason enough to talk it through." - Onward Counselling

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Onward Student Mentoring - Students will be offered a 15 minute telephone consultation.

Together we will discuss current study challenges and aspirations, expectations of mentoring and explore how best to work together creating a unique space for your study needs.

The first session will focus on the direction of your studies, what support might be need throughout your course(s) and difficulties within the training environment if any. The study plan will grow and take shape with you, moulding and at times changing with each session, until you feel you have reached your desired path of travel.

Student mentoring will offer a confidential space to discuss personal and professional growth, course challenges, peer and course dynamics. This is not a directive space nor a counselling session. All work will be your own autonomously. However, self-development and personal insight will be at the fore front of our work, informing your studies with therapeutic approaches based on your ideology, chosen theories and modalities.

"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination." - Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person.

I will be accepting new clients in November 2026 (please make contact, a waiting list is available. Regular updates will be sent).

My availability in November will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some Fridays between 10am and 3pm. Other times might be available, please reach out and ask. 

I predominantly support with Online Counselling across the UK.  Making Online Therapy accessible for all, no matter the distance. 

Face to face Counselling will open in Spring 2027 via my office at 'Onward Counselling'. Reach out and get added to the waiting list for localised support, updates and opening details. 

I also offer trainee counselling Student Mentoring. Sessions start from £20 for 30 minutes. Please get in touch for more information and online availability. 

Welcome. I'm Ruth. I specialise in empathetic and connective Person-Centred Therapy.

Person-Centred Therapy means YOU are at the centre of our work. The theory strongly believes (as do I) that many solutions to your challenges are within. Are they easy to find? Not often! That's where my support and help come into play. We will find your solutions together.

I will walk beside you within your world, seeing your life, experiences, feelings and personal insights from your perspective. Creating a supportive, non-judgemental, trusting space to truly explore yourself deeply and safely.

Over time not only might you start to heal and move further away from any misplaced shame, pain, hurt or discomfort but you might also begin to trust yourself and your instincts. Which is pretty awesome! Driving your life 'Onward' in the direction you've wanted to go. Feeling less stuck and truly growing into your potential. 

Your counselling could change your life, permanently. It can change the way you feel, the way you have been seen and how you have been heard. It is an active element in choosing to move forward. A process of travelling 'Onward'.

Students need a safe space to grow too! I currently teach Adult Education classes in an Introduction to Counselling Skills and Certificate (level 2) in Counselling Skills and Theory in Cambridge. I have a comprehensive experience of teaching and training within the Counselling profession.

I can support you with personal challenges and guide you professionally through your counselling studies from level 2 certificate to level 4 diploma. 

Together we will travel through the areas in life that are causing you pain and difficulties, the moments that are pausing you in motion, and the areas you've hoped to be a little different. 

For therapy to be successful, not only commitment and dedication is needed from us both, but a sense and want to explore. To unload. To be open to feeling seen and heard. To face the moments that have installed fear and trauma within us, and at times to be gently challenged. It's not always easy, yet it is so rewarding!

I am passionate about self-care and informing personal boundaries to look after and accept ourselves and each other. By implementing these strategies into our therapeutic work, you can start to develop a further sense of self-worth, identity and confidence.

Attending counselling is truly a process and it's not often linier. It can be a bumpy, windy road with a few hair pins and potholes chucked in for good measure! I will aim to keep you on the road, guiding and holding your space with understanding, care and validation. Pointing out at times, the amazing view, and how far you have travelled.

-----

Onward Student Mentoring - I will provide a confidential space to support and guide with counselling courses from Certificate level 2 to level 4. Creating together further clarity, understanding of course journals, criteria, assignments, presentations and examinations/assessments.

A safe place to discuss, seek guidance and navigate your way through your studies, at your pace. Developing your learning style, knowledge and practices throughout your training journey. Supporting with the pressures and difficulties that studying can bring when balancing life, work and counselling training. 

Every client is offered a free 15 minute telephone consultation. 

We will discuss what is happening for you, your current challenges and your expectations, whilst briefly exploring what working together might actually feel like. 

Our first session will unpack what's next at your own pace. We will talk through our working relationship agreement and contract in full and discuss any questions you might have unanswered. 

If my work and practices inspire you to explore yourself and your challenges, to make the first step, the biggest step, I'll be there to welcome you.

Reach out to me and gain some further information.

I hope to hear all about you.

Ruth

'Sometimes knowing that something feels difficult is reason enough to talk it through'. - Onward Counselling

-----

Onward Student Mentoring - Students will be offered a 15 minute telephone consultation.

Together we will discuss current study challenges and aspirations, expectations of mentoring and explore how best to work together creating a unique space for your study needs.

The first session will focus on the direction of your studies, what support might be need throughout your course(s) and difficulties within the training environment if any. The study plan will grow and take shape with you, moulding and at times changing with each session, until you feel you have reached your desired path of travel.

Student mentoring will offer a confidential space to discuss personal and professional growth, course challenges, peer and course dynamics. This is not a directive space nor a counselling. All work will be your own autonomously. However, self-development and personal insight will be at the fore front of our sessions. 

"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination." - Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person.