Ruth Jackson

I am an integrative psychotherapist, who moved to Glasgow a few years ago from Belfast. Although my method is primarily grounded in a psychodynamic approach, I am comfortable utilising different counselling traditions. I believe counselling offers reflective ‘time out’ from the stresses of everyday life. The Irish word 'Coolmara' translates as 'corner of the sea' alluding to a space affording some shelter from the elements. In this relative quiet clients tend to find that complicated feelings and pieces of personal history rise to the surface. Exploring these and understanding them in fresh ways can ease mental pain, grow self worth, and engender more peaceful ways of living with oneself and one’s decisions.

Although I see counselling as a collaborative endeavour, I believe the client must be in charge of the process: controlling what emerges and what is left to one side, choosing what to divulge and what to retain. I follow my client’s lead and respect their independence, but I am equipped to support the process of working through whatever material is brought, and moulding it into new contours and shapes that can sit more harmoniously with the client in future.

I have a background lecturing in social science in London and Ireland. I also delivered pastoral care to students on both sides of the Irish border for the Open University. Being involved with diverse groups of students in prisons and in the community nurtured my interest in how emotional wellbeing influences our ability to learn and grow throughout our lives. I trained as a psychotherapist and worked for a community-based agency in West Belfast before starting private practice.

I currently working online and am available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

I offer a free introductory session (approximately 30 minutes). This provides my potential client and myself with an opportunity to see if we suit one another and think we will be able to work well together.