I am a humanistic therapist, working in an existential and developmentally-informed way. I believe in combining a non-judgemental and supportive environment with intellectual curiosity and inquiry to work with you as a whole person, thoughts and feelings. I put this synthesis at the core of my work, helping my clients make sense of their lives, their relationships, and recover and build new lives.
Working with me
I privilege my clients and value every moment of our time together. I work to create a counselling context that works for you, so that you can utilise sessions to focus on your needs. I offer sessions in the evening, as well as during regular working hours. Usually I work in a my own office in Northern Renaissance Studios, Chorlton, but at the current time most of my work is delivered over telephone and video.
I am a humanistic therapist, and work from an existentially-informed person-centred perspective. This means that I’m not here to analyse you, or tell you what you’re doing wrong. I am here to support you in a safe and caring relationship so that you can begin to unravel and untangle your thoughts, feelings and experiences. We can work to respond to your distress and suffering in a confidential space where you can be certain of a non-judgemental and compassionate response. Together we can make sense of what has happened, and is happening, to you in a way that fosters change. Therapy isn’t a straight road, but speaking to a professional can help you better understand yourself, your relationships, thoughts and feelings and from there develop a different relationship with, and experience of, your life.
I see people as individuals, and each therapeutic relationship I develop is unique and tailored to the person’s needs. I have worked with people from 10 to 90 years of age, from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and experiences, genders and sexualities and I have always focused on fostering a safe and deep enough connection to facilitate real exploration. Through my previous work and training I have worked therapeutically with a variety of client experiences, including depression, mild to moderate disordered eating, bereavement and loss, unwanted or nonconsenting sexual experiences, later-life/third-life transitions. I’m open to short and long term work, and to taking things at the pace and consistency that works for you.
I have experience working with trans and gender-questioning people, and am a member of the queer community. I believe in continually improving my efficacy as a therapist, and continue to study and expand my knowledge. I have recently become a Friend of the Black and Asian Therapists Network and am actively engaging in anti-racist work on my own practice.
Qualifications
PgDip Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling, University of Brighton
NCFE Level 2 & 3 Counselling Skills
PhD, MSc and BA in Archaeology
Additional training
Creative and expressive therapies
Cruse Bereavement Care training
Counselling Children and Young People
Gender, sexuality, and relationship diversity (GSRD)
Cultural Competency
LGBTQ+ Affirming practice
Working with racism and anti-racist practice in therapy
Working with self harm and suicidal thought
I’m a member of the BACP, and as such I adhere to their ethical framework, and I have a children and adult workforce DBS check.
Background
My journey to counselling has been varied; I’ve always had a passion for making sense of my experience and the world around me, and that curiosity has led to my current passion for understanding the phenomenological, experiential, and lived experience of individuals.
Learning and research had always been at the core of my life, and as I’ve grown older my interests have moved from pursuing an understanding of the universe, through to the origins of Western civilisation and the experiences of our ancestors, and now into the present day experience of individuals and how we live our lives. I am fundamentally curious about how we identify and understand our experiences, and how we build and create meaning in our lives.
Reading, thinking critically and writing about my thoughts, experiences and philosophical approach are a key part to continuing my development as a therapist. You can see some of this work here on this site.
Charities I support
As part of my personal ethical philosophy I volunteer my services as a therapist in an honorary capacity to local charities. I recently finished working with Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA), offering Adult counselling in Eastbourne and Children and Young People counselling in Newhaven, as well as working in the specialist Suicide Service and Sexual Assault Services. I have previously worked with Cruse Bereavement Care as a Counsellor, the Samaritans as a Listener, and the Tarner Project in Brighton as a Youth Worker.
Ruth Fillery-Travis 