Ruth Barrett, BACP

Ruth Barrett is a person-centred counsellor with a Master’s in Clinical Counselling and nine years of professional practice. She holds Accredited Registered Membership of the BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which indicates adherence to recognised professional and ethical standards in the UK. Ruth combines formal person-centred training with certification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to offer a blend of humanistic and evidence-based approaches tailored to each person's needs.

Known for a warm, caring and reliable manner, Ruth has a particular clinical interest in complex trauma, adverse childhood experiences and early life attachment. Her work spans private counselling and roles with a charitable organisation in Chester, supporting children, families and adults referred from the NHS, local authorities and social services. This range of experience informs her understanding of how childhood adversity can shape emotional and relational difficulties across the lifespan.

Prior to counselling, Ruth taught young people aged 11 to 18 for more than twenty-five years, an experience that deepened her commitment to resilience and personal growth. She works with people of all ages on issues such as grief and bereavement, relationship difficulties, sexual abuse, childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, phobias and obsessive compulsions, and tailors intervention length to client needs - offering initial sessions followed by either a fixed block or longer-term open-ended work.

Ruth emphasises working with the person rather than only the presenting issue, creating space for exploration at each client’s pace. As part of her professional practice she undertakes regular formal supervision, maintains insurance and completes continuing professional development, and works in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework. She welcomes enquiries from those considering counselling and can provide further information about how she works.