Ruth Murtagh

Fees: 

Individuals: £55/ hour (£50, Lower waged)

Couples:      £70/ hour 

If you’re reading this, you may be feeling unhappy on your own, or wanting your relationship to be different.

You may be in a couple, wondering if you can rediscover the relationship you once had with your partner, or to find a different way forward. Perhaps you or your partner have had/ or are having an affair.

You may be an individual, trying to cope with the loss of a relationship, or wanting to be able to find lasting love.

Perhaps there are relationships with your children or wider family, with friends or people at work that upset you; or you are unhappy with your own behaviour. 

If you long for a healthy relationship that doesn’t leave you feeling hurt, you are not alone.

Many individuals and couples struggle with difficulties which can bring pain: leaving them feeling exhausted and stressed. After all, we’re not given a relationship manual when we’re born.

For many of us, improving our relationship with ourselves is key.

I will listen carefully and will not judge you. I do not take sides. I am genuinely passionate about helping my clients move out of destructive and painful patterns of relating with each other, whether they are with partners, family, friends, or at work.

I believe that we are all doing our best in situations, even when our behaviour can seem destructive or self-sabotaging.

My role is to help you explore and develop preferred ways of behaving and living your life. I really care about all of my clients and tailor my approach to suit each person’s/ couple’s unique needs.

However, I don’t work with couples where any physical, verbal, emotional abuse is present, or has been in the past

I do understand that it can be daunting making that first contact, but in some ways, that's the hardest part. It's up to you how many sessions you choose to have.

All couples or individuals are welcome- any age, culture, religion, LGBTQIA+ or physical ability. 

My other areas of special interest are:

• support with dating
• parenting support
• relationship MOT (offering a 'check up' of your relationship and iron out any small issues).

I have considerable experience working in the caring professions as a Teacher, Art Therapist and Relationship Therapist at Relate and in Private practice.

I have an MA (Relationship Therapy) with Distinction, from the Relate Institute, University of Hull.

During the first session, I will ask what has brought you to counselling, and what your hopes and expectations are for our work together.

It is also a chance for you to check that I'm right for you- there's no obligation to resume counselling sessions with me if you don't feel the fit is quite right. I believe it's important that you feel comfortable with whoever you choose to work with.

I will also check that I’m right for your needs.

Our work together will always be collaborative, that means that I won't advise you or tell you what to do, but I will work alongside you, working out together with you what your preferred way of living/ being is, and how to get there.

Counselling sessions are confidential. I won't be telling anyone about what you discuss in your sessions, unless there is danger of serious harm.

Some couples and individuals like to create goals that they want to aim for by the end of their counselling sessions.