About Ruth

 

Hi there! Welcome to my site.  

Not sure if therapy is for you?

Then I invite you to peruse Illuminate Online – a new online space for mental health, co-founded by Ruth Skutezky. 

Our aim is to provide easy-to-understand psychological tools to enhance your life.  Take a look at our freebies page, a collection of our favourite downloadables handouts!  Or explore our online courses and e-books.

Learn more about Illuminate!

 

In light of the risks associated with COVID-19, please note that in-person sessions are not currently available.

Should you live in British Columbia, Canada, and require mental health support, Ruth is offering telephone/video counselling appointments.

Have questions or wondering whether this is right for you? Read about The Benefits of Video & Telephonic Counselling.

To get started, book online through the easy-to-use JANE app:

BOOK APPOINTMENT

 

Counselling to Help You Navigate Life’s Challenges

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), with a practice in beautiful North Vancouver, BC.

My passion is working with young adults and couples, especially those entering marriage, parenthood, or other times of transition, with a focus on prevention and education.  I also equip people to better manage depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns so that they are able to live a more focused and satisfying life.

Please see the Individual Counselling, ICBC Funded Counselling, Crime Victim Assistance, Marriage Prep & Baby Prep, and Couples Counselling pages for more information about services.  North Vancouver

Therapy based on 6 Core Principles 

Value

I know that both your time and money is precious.  I work hard to deliver service that you are happy with

Trust

Earning your trust is the essence of our therapeutic work together

Transparency

I will demystify the counselling process by explaining what we are doing and why

Research-based

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I use tools and techniques that are backed by research and proven to be effective

Flexibility

Therapy that is designed specifically with your needs and goals in mind, and is responsive to change

Professionalismgraduation hat

I maintain a high level of ethical standards, participating in ongoing personal and professional development so that I am the best I can be for you.

 North Vancouver

Techniques & Therapies Used

  • Video/tele therapy
  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Relaxation & Mindfulness practices
  • Art-based techniques
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Exposure techniques
  • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
  • Gottman Couples Therapy
  • Existential-Humanistic Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • PREPARE/ENRICH Relationship Assessment

 North Vancouverbutton (1)

If I do not have training in a particular area of need or if for whatever reason you decide to seek services elsewhere, I will gladly refer you to another professional.  One of the most important factors in counselling outcome is, after all, the relationshipt that is formed between counsellor and client.  It sometimes takes a few tries to find the right fit.

What to Expect from Counselling

Let’s face it, the idea of going to counselling can be anxiety-provoking, intimidating, or just plain uncomfortable for some people.  It takes courage to pick up the phone and ask for help, so as I see it, my job is to try to make the process as comfortable and transparent as possible.

What I aim to do in our work:

  • Help you to find balance and listen to your desires & needs
  • Support you through loss & change
  • Get you back in touch with what matters to you
  • Encourage you to evaluate your situation from different perspectives by sharing my observations
  • Share practical tools or resources
  • Gently challenge you to take responsibility for your role in any problems you are facing
  • Guide you to become more self-forgiving & embrace your imperfections
  • Collaboratively brainstorm possible next steps

What I aim to NOT do in our work:

  • Tell you exactly what you should do to solve the problem
  • Claim that I have all of the answers
  • Claim to understand your life better than you do
  • Encourage ongoing blaming others for the issue
  • Encourage an exaggerated/unhelpful victim mentality

For more information about what you might expect to gain from specific types of therapy, please have a look at the Services for Individuals and Services for Couples pages.

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