Introduction

 Ruth Kidson  MSc, MB, BS, MBACP (accredited)

Counsellor, psychotherapist & supervisor

 

Please note:  I  ONLY OFFER COUNSELLING ONLINE  (VIA A SECURE AND PASSWORD-PROTECTED ‘MEETING ROOM’).  

People come to counselling for many reasons:

• • • • some have no one to talk to about their problems
      • some feel that no one is listening to them or understanding what they are saying
      • some are tired of being given advice on how to resolve their problems
      • some are finding it hard to cope with a difficult situation or a sudden change
      • some want to move on but are unsure how to do so
      • some just feel lost

Whatever your reason – whether it’s one of the above or something completely different – I can promise you that:

• • • • I will listen to you attentively and will do my best to understand what it is you are going through
      • I will never judge you or tell you what I think you should do
      • I will offer you support and a safe environment in which to talk
      • I will do my best to help you to find you own answers and your own path through life

Everything you tell me is confidential.

I have experience of working with a wide range of problems – physical, emotional and spiritual. I have a good working knowledge of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Spiritualism.

I work in a humanistic (non-directive) way and believe wholeheartedly in the person-centred idea that each one of us has the ability to ‘grow towards the light’, and to develop and reach our potential.

While the person-centred approach forms the basis of how I work, I also use various creative therapies (such as art and visualisation) as well as elements of TA when appropriate. However, I believe it is up to you, the client, to lead the therapy – to regulate the pace at which progress is made and to accept or refuse methods of working that I offer. I also believe that the decision about what to focus on in any session should be yours and I will never try to persuade you to talk about something you are not ready or not willing to talk about.

I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and abide by its Code of Ethics. To comply with this Code, I see a supervisor on a regular basis to discuss my client work but client anonymity is strictly preserved in supervision.

I have full professional insurance.

Before I trained as a counsellor, I was a doctor and have worked in several areas of medicine including general practice, women’s health, psychiatry and paediatrics.  I am a trained medical hypnotherapist and have a broad interest in complementary therapies. I have written several books on subjects including hypnotherapy, acupuncture and the treatment of insomnia.

I have worked as a counsellor within an NHS general practice, seeing clients with a wide range of problems. I have also worked for an agency offering counselling to women and another agency offering counselling to male survivors of childhood sexual abuse or rape.

I work with individual clients on a short- or long-term basis and have experience of working with a wide range of issues including:

• • • • abuse and trauma
      • anxiety
      • bereavement and loss
      • depression
      • low self confidence
      • low self esteem
      • major life changes
      • sexuality problems
      • spiritual concerns
      • stress and work issues

I work with all adult age groups from students to the elderly and with people of different ethnicities and sexual orientation.

Training & qualifications:

• • • M.B., B.S. – St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School, London
    • M.Sc. in Social Medicine – London University
    • Certificate in Nutrition Therapy – Institute for Optimum Nutrition
    • Introductory, intermediate & advanced courses in medical hypnosis – British Association for Medical and Dental Hypnosis
    • Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Counselling – West Kent College
    • Diploma in Supervision – the Link Centre

I have undertaken additional training in subjects including:

• • • working with survivors of sexual abuse and rape
    • working with PTSD
    • working creatively with a sandtray
    • working with problems dating back to childhood
    • understanding eating disorders