I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and have had a Tunbridge Wells based practice since 2008. As well as my advanced diploma training in Humanistic counselling, I have undertaken additional training in couple therapy, attachment, CBT and mindfulness based childbirth and parenting.

Alongside my counselling practice, I have worked within the NHS locally as a specialist bereavement midwife. I regularly teach and train all members of the team within the hospital, as well as medical and midwifery students in London and the South East; I have been a visiting lecturer at City University, London. I have contributed to national guidance relating to best practice in bereavement care through MBRRACE, as well as to their audit and reporting work.

I work closely with our local Tunbridge Wells Sands group, ensuring a link between hospital and community support.

I have also worked as a specialist screening midwife locally, and fetal medicine midwife in London. My midwifery and nursing training were in London teaching hospitals. My interest in parents’ experience of abnormality and loss in pregnancy began while working in the fetal medicine unit at Kings College Hospital, where I chose to begin to train in counselling in order to better support parents. Aware that many parents express the need for specialist support from someone who understands the processes, investigations, delivery and care of babies who are born dead or who die shortly after birth, I started my counselling practice in order to offer this insight and care.

I work within the BACP ethical framework and am covered by professional indemnity insurance. I am committed to continued professional development to increase my knowledge and skills, and have regular supervision.  

“After experiencing such a traumatic loss, Ruth provided me a safe and nurturing space to focus on my grief and provided me the tools to move forward in a healthy way. Her caring demeanour put me at ease from the beginning, and it’s because of her gentle approach that I felt safe to talk about my experience and focus on recovering.”

- Mother of tw0, whose first baby died shortly before birth due to a life-limiting condition.

–

“Its difficult to put into words quite how (or how much) Ruth has helped me. She is calm, wise and incredibly caring – all qualities which make her a very special person and a fantastic bereavement counsellor; I would recommend her in a heartbeat.”
– Mother of two whose first baby was born extremely prematurely and died shortly after birth