Spiral Development: Unlocking Potential

‘Reach for the sky’

Personal, Professional and Corporate Development

Ruth Baker is an experienced professional who provides development services to individuals, couples, groups and organisations. She is a counsellor, psychotherapist, trainer, supervisor and coach who also works with organisations as a consultant.

Ruth is passionate about individuals and organisations developing the capacity to achieve their full potential

Which service is right for you?

Counselling and Psychotherapy

People come for psychotherapy and counselling for a number of reasons. They may simply be looking for a way of getting to know themselves better having recognised repeat patterns of problems in their lives.

Many people attend when life has become unbearable and they need support in making new decisions of finding different ways of living. They are looking to resolve problems in the present moment and recognise these may be rooted in earlier life experiences. The role of the counsellor and psychotherapist is to help a person work with the past to gain a fresh perspective and form life goals which will enable them to live a more fulfilled and positive life.

People come forwards with a wide variety of difficulties including:

Relationship difficulties, abuse, anxiety, depression, chronic conditions, deep unhappiness, trauma, personal growth, life transitions, bereavement and loss, child raising issues, infertility, addictions, eating problems, aggression and anger, gender – you name it any area where someone is unhappy in their lives.

Counselling contracts tend to be shorter term.

Psychotherapy contracts tend to be longer term and work at greater depth.

Ruth will look to work with the issues presenting in the here and now by understanding the dynamics of what is going on and using the past to help to understand the process.

Relationship and couples work

I believe that our most intimate relationships have the power to enable us to achieve our greatest potential. Yet they present us with the some of the most challenging aspects of ourselves and others. Society does little to support the transition from falling romantically in love, to a fulfilling life long relationship. Throw in children, infertility, life’s ups and downs and it often seems simpler to live alone. We need to understand ourselves in these relationships and in the context of our gender. From there we can learn to transform our relationships.

Often couples will attend when things are feeling desperate and separation seems to be the only option.

It is my observation that we continue to repeat negative patterns of relating in new relationships. This is an opportunity to do something different and even if the result is separation: to have a deeper understanding of the processes involved and greater harmony in the process is beneficial. This is crucial if children are involved.

Coaching: Executive and Life

Coaching differs from counselling and psychotherapy in that it does not deal with deeper psychological issues. Life Coaching simply focuses on getting more out of life whilst Executive Coaching is aimed more specifically at performance in the corporate world, career development, leadership skills, organisational development and staff management.

Discovering your potential and helping you to achieve it.

The approach is one of a professional colleague who provides 1:1 development discussions, feedback on strengths and weaknesses, focuses on specific areas of work, short term, non directive, time bound, works with your skills, improving performance and specific areas of skills.

In executive coaching personal issues may be discussed, however the emphasis is on performance at work.

Supervision and a Reflective Space for Professionals

It is my belief that all professionals, particularly those working with people require a facilitated space to reflect upon their professional practice. Ruth has experience of providing group and 1:1 supervision where issues can be raised in a supportive non judgmental environment. It is a safe and confidential space to work through difficulties; however it can also look at professional development and be a place to celebrate success. Supervision can look at practice development, team working, individual customers and clients. It is often used as a place to offload and move forwards from.

Organisational Development

Organisational development is about working with the potential of organisations to work to their optimum capacity. It is about working with the whole system to achieve shared visions and goals in a way which results in greater effectiveness of the organisation. It is about individuals in the organisation problem solving, learning new techniques and skills, and creating an atmosphere of continuous improvement.

Organisational development contributes to the sustained health and effectiveness of the organisation by working with robust diagnosis, it is planned and systematic in focus while taking into account the whole organisation, works to align different activities in the organisation projects and initiatives, involves groups of individuals in the organisation to maximise ownership, engagement and contribution.

The theories I use to support this work include:

I have a strong background in psychological theories and their application to human behaviour. These theories and understandings are versatile in terms of their application across a range of settings. My work is informed by: Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, developmental psychology, psycho dynamic theories, cognitive behavioural psychology, group analysis, transpersonal theories, a deep understanding of the importance of human relationships. In addition to this I will also use motivational interviewing, brief solution focussed therapy and emotional freedom techniques. My stance is fundamentally person centred creative and can even be fun.

about the practitioner

Ruth Baker

Ruth has a degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work. In addition to this she has an advanced diploma in integrative counselling and six years training in integrative psychotherapy. She is a qualified supervisor. She has post graduate training in creative couples work, in organisational development and executive coaching. This is supported by many years of tai chi practice and as a living movement instructor.

Ruth’s professional background includes working within the corporate world of publishing, in the voluntary sector and significant experience in the public sector. She has wide experience as a senior manager, organisational development consultant and project management. In addition to this she has an individual psychotherapy, supervision and coaching practice for individuals, couples and groups (private and organisations). She is an experienced teacher of counselling techniques and theories for trainees and organisations.

Ruth’s experience and training to date provide a unique blend of understanding of individuals and systems. She has an ability to grasp complexity and see through problems with a view to change. Her style is compassionate and motivational.

Ruth’s approach is integrative which means she takes the ‘whole’ into account and works to respond appropriately and effectively at a cognitive, behavioural, spiritual, emotional and physiological level. The aim is to facilitate integration within the individual, couple, group or organisation to achieve fullness and potential.

No single theory is best or adequate in all situations. By using an integrative approach Ruth is able to approach problems from a flexible yet coherent stance to ensure maximum effectiveness. She will draw upon different strategies, techniques and theoretical constructs to deal with particular situations. This approach draws upon a sound knowledge and understanding of the problems at hand and the interventions which are used. This is supported by clinical and professional intuition which has developed through years of experience.

Ruth’s style is undoubtedly down to earth!! She emphasises the importance of respect, kindness, honesty and equality when dealing with others and looks to affirm the integrity of the humanity of all involved. She can be incisive, wise, forthright and deeply understanding. Holding complexity; the ability to be with light and dark are all part of her strengths. Humour is important to her.

Ruth Baker BSc hons, MA, Dip SW, Adv Dip Couns, Cert Supervision

Member of: BACP and abide by their code of ethics

Give Ruth a ring to discuss your requirements on: 07736 334454

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