Ruth Richards, BACP

Ruth Richards is a counsellor with 16 years' experience helping people through difficult life moments. She aims to create a warm, non-judgemental space where people can talk about past hurts, current stresses and hopes for change. Ruth works at a steady pace chosen with each person, and she focuses on what matters most to the individual in front of her.

Ruth uses ideas from several well-known approaches to shape sessions. She draws on acceptance and commitment ideas to help people notice painful thoughts without being driven by them. She also uses client-centred work to keep the conversation grounded in the client's priorities. Cognitive and emotionally focused techniques are brought in when helpful to practise new ways of thinking and relating.

Her background includes both short-term and longer-term counselling and psychotherapy. That means she can support practical problem-solving or deeper exploration, depending on what a person wants. Ruth emphasises listening closely and helping people set realistic goals for change.

Typical concerns she meets include stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, trauma and grief, parenting strain, anger and self-esteem. She also works with career worries, compassion fatigue and ADHD-related challenges. Ruth accepts international clients and works in English from the United Kingdom.

People who choose Ruth often want a straightforward, empathic counsellor who will help them learn new coping skills and make sense of painful past events. The first steps involve talking about goals and agreeing a pace that suits the person seeking support.

How Ruth's approaches translate to online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without letting them dictate choices. It focuses on values and small actions that move someone towards a life they care about. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and teaches practical strategies to change them, which suits problems like anxiety and low mood. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) works with feelings and patterns in close relationships to build clearer emotional understanding and stronger bonds.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Ruth will talk with each person about their goals and try different techniques to see what helps most. This is a collaborative process and adjustments are made as the work unfolds.

The biography does not list specific online session types, so please confirm available formats before booking. In general, online therapy can help fit counselling into a busy week, reduce travel time and make it easier to attend from different locations. It also allows sessions that focus on short practical tools or longer conversations, depending on what a person needs and prefers.