Ruth Barrett , BACP

Ruth Barrett is a qualified person-centred counsellor who holds a Master’s in Clinical Counselling and Accredited Registered Membership of the BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists). She combines warmth, reliability, and a strong sense of professional integrity to create a respectful and supportive therapeutic environment. Her formal training is person-centred with a focused interest in complex trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early life attachment, and she is also a certified CBT therapist with a particular interest in resilience and personal growth across the lifespan.

Alongside private practice, Ruth has worked with a charitable organisation in Chester providing counselling to individuals, children and families facing significant challenges, including referrals from the NHS, local authorities and social services. Her more than twenty-five years of experience in education, primarily with young people aged 11 to 18, informs her understanding of how childhood adversity can shape adult experience and relationships.

Ruth works with people of all ages and backgrounds, tailoring her approach to the issues they bring and helping them find practical ways forward. She works with the person rather than simply the presenting issue and has supported people through loss and bereavement, childhood trauma, relationship difficulties, sexual abuse, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, phobias and obsessive compulsive patterns. Her practice integrates psychodynamic models, person-centred methods, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and attachment-informed approaches, all of which have established research backing.

Ruth offers an initial session so prospective clients can decide whether to continue, and then works with them through either a block of fixed sessions or more open-ended therapy. She adheres to the BACP Ethical Framework, maintains regular formal supervision with a qualified counselling supervisor, is fully insured and undertakes required continuing professional development each year. Session content is held in the strictest confidence, with exceptions only where safeguarding concerns arise or where there is evidence of risk of serious harm. Those seeking further information about counselling and her way of working are encouraged to get in touch.

Adapting evidence-based approaches for online support

Ruth draws on person-centred practice, which emphasises empathy, acceptance and listening to each person’s experience to help them explore feelings, build self-understanding and move through grief, life changes and relationship concerns. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is also a key part of her work - a structured approach that helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and develop practical strategies for anxiety, mood disorders, panic and phobias. Attachment-informed approaches look at patterns established in early relationships and how they affect current connections and codependency, supporting people to build healthier relational habits and self-worth.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and Ruth collaborates with each client to identify which methods best fit their needs, goals and preferences. She combines techniques where appropriate and reviews progress together so the work remains responsive and client-led.

Ruth offers online sessions by video calls, phone, live chat and text-based messaging, which makes therapy more flexible and easier to fit around work, family and daily life. These options support consistent, accessible contact with a licensed professional and allow clients to engage in ways that feel most comfortable while continuing therapeutic progress.