Claire Ruthven
Individuals and Couples Therapist
Thank you for reaching out.
You may have arrived here for several reasons; I welcome you to make contact with me, and I hope to be able to help.
I've provided therapeutic support to individuals, couples and families for over 10 years, both in my private practice and in the community health sector.
I see clients face to face in Carlton North, Melbourne.
Online sessions are also available.
My approach to counselling starts by allowing space and time to get to know you and what has brought you to seek support at this time. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life, and I aim to create a warm and trusting experience in sessions.
I've assisted people who have experienced anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma at different life stages, from childhood through to senior years.
Therapy enhances the quality of our lives and relationships by helping us become aware of our thoughts, patterns, ideas and values; this deepens our insight into why we are who we are, and we start becoming who we want to be.
About Me
My approach is guided by years of experience and training in psychological and therapeutic techniques, including psychodynamic/relational theories, emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), the polyvagal theory, trauma-informed practice, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and focused psychological strategies. I weave these techniques together in sessions to create a meaningful and enriching experience for participants.
I trained for 2 years with Australia's preeminent relationship counselling organisation, Relationships Australia. I'm a registered mental health social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Areas of special interest include:
- Relationships
- Trauma
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Childhood experiences
- Pregnancy and fertility journeys
- Parenting and becoming a parent
- Grief and loss
- Barriers to experiencing a fulfilled and meaningful life
Education and Training
Tertiary Education
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Bachelor of Social Work, La Trobe University
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Graduate Certificate in Careers Counselling and Education, RMIT University
Professional Training
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Specialist Course in Couples Therapy and Internship (Relationships Australia)
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Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy (Brisbane CEFT)
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Fighting For Connection: Emotionally Focused Therapy Training (Melbourne CEFT)
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Clinical Supervision Training (The Bouverie Family Institute Centre)
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Family Foundations Facilitator Training (The Murdoch Children's Research Institute)
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Parent-Centered Parent Work (Ron Ingram)
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Child and Family Development, Centre for Child and Family Development (Ruth Schmit Neven)
Fees and Availability
Sessions run for 55 minutes.
Sessions are available on Monday and Tuesday nights.
Fees are set in line with AASW recommendations.
The fee for individual counselling is $140.00.
The fee for couples counselling is $170.00.
Fees are negotiable, and joint household income is taken into consideration.
Medicare rebates are available for individual counselling with a referral from a GP for a mental health care plan, and can assist with fees significantly.
Rebates are currently unavailable for couples counselling.
Please contact me to discuss further details and to make an initial appointment.
Get in Touch
You can contact me via email, at:
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