Hello, my name is Dr Ruth Smith and welcome to my website. 

I understand that that trying to find a therapist can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing and I hope that this website will help to ease the process. 

I am a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist and I have a Foundation Degree in Counselling, a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice and a PhD (doctorate) in Social Justice. My MA research considered intercultural counselling practice, specifically with refugees and asylum seekers and my PhD research focused on white trainee counsellors racial cognisance. I am an antiracist and LGBTQIA+ ally, disability inclusive and an intersectional feminist. 

I strongly believe that therapy can be transformative, allowing people to heal past pains and work through present difficulties. To do this, I prioritise the 'therapeutic relationship', creating a safe space where you will feel heard, accepted and not judged. I am an Accredited Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and follow their ethical guidelines. I am passionate about social justice and human rights. As a person with a long-term chronic illness (ME), I understand the importance of being truly seen and understood, especially when we live in a society where those things are not always present. I believe that both personal experiences and systemic inequalities have an impact on our mental health and wellbeing.

 I have also trained with the world-renowned trauma psychotherapist Babette Rothschild in Somatic Trauma Therapy. I have been an academic lecturer, teaching counselling and sociology, and I have published articles related to counselling and psychotherapy. 

Please see my Counselling and Psychotherapy page for more information about my therapeutic approach and my experience. 

In addition to my therapeutic practice, I  work as a consultant and mentor for ACT Student Support which offers one-on-one mental health mentoring for students and individuals receiving Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). The role allows me to combine my experience as a therapist and my background in academia.

I can also provide Guest Lecturing on topics relating to counselling, psychotherapy and social justice. This area of my work draws from my previous work as a university lecturer where I was committed to creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment.

I have been nominated for Speaker of the Year by the Women's Business Awards 2024 for a talk I gave on International Women's Day 2024 about a feminist approach for women in business in Wales and about feminist psychotherapy. 

If there is something you feel you would like to explore but are unsure as to whether I may be able to help, please contact me and we talk about whether I would be the right therapist for you.