About Me
safety. hope. identity
Blending Expertise & Empathy to Create a Safe Space
Hi, I’m Ruth, and thank you for visiting my website. With more than 30 years of experience in research and academia, my path into clinical psychology came a little later—shaped not just by theory, but by the experiences that life delivered to me. After navigating my own experiences with mental health and our system designed to support it, I decided it was time to deviate off my path as a teaching and research academic and work more directly with people as a therapist. This dual lens – clinical insight and personal understanding – has led me to establish a Practice rooted in the values of Safety, Hope and Identity. I draw upon this dual-lens to provide evidence-based therapies, helping individuals and organisations move through stuck places with clarity, curiosity and compassion. I am also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland School of Psychology.
From a modality perspective I draw upon a range of evidence-based therapies. These include Mindfulness-based approaches (including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP)), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). In addition to the opportunity for clients to draw upon their wearable data as a means of measuring progress (particularly HRV data), I also integrate nature-based therapy and animal-assisted therapy into my practice where possible, often accompanied by my (in-training) therapy dog, Keeva.
My own life is underpinned by the personal values of grit, grace, and gratitude—a philosophy that acknowledges both the strength it takes to change and the grit to persevere through challenge, the grace to be curious and meet myself and others with compassion, and gratitude as a daily practice of recognising beauty, meaning, and connection, even in the small and ordinary.
From a parts perspective, some of the other non-therapist parts of me include a part that loves to mentor and support students, trainee psychologists and women, a part that loves data (hello Garmin and Oura ring), a part that is a parent to both humans and furry beings, a part that loves to grow plants and hang out with animals, and a traveller part with a soft spot for wild landscapes and calming interiors.
People-centred and insight-led
Inclusive and Data Driven
I see clients both privately and via GP Mental Health Treatment Plans. I work with Veterans as a registered provider for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and also work with clients supported by WorkCover Queensland. I am also a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology (UQ College of Supervisors) at the University of Queensland.
My interest lies in the intersectionality of the human connection at the heart of therapy, combined with cutting-edge, evidence-based tools. These include the modalities as outline above, combined with digital innovations and biometric feedback, such as heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring, which offer real-time insights into the nervous system and help clients better understand and regulate their emotional states. With a four-year period working within the e-Mental Health in Practice team at QUT, my knowledge of integration of digital mental tools means I am also able to support people to maximise the opportunities we have to work together by utilising these tools in a way that compliments our individual sessions, and enables us to use our one-on-one work to explore some of the deeper underlying factors where required. This fusion of compassion, curiousity and science allows the tailoring of support with precision, empowering clients to achieve sustainable change.
Explore our Services
Through my Practice, I am dedicated to supporting people to thrive with evidence-based, compassionate and innovative care. Whether you’re seeking support for self-soothing behaviours that are restricting growth, trauma, life transitions, anxiety, depression, relationship issues or personal growth, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Our Therapy Dog in Training
Meet Keeva: Our Therapy Dog
Ruth is proud to offer Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) as part of her client work, with Keeva—her much-loved therapy dog—often joining sessions. Keeva is a six-year-old Husky–Samoyed cross (a Samusky), currently undergoing her formal AAT training and accreditation with Therapy Dogs Australia.
Her name comes from the Irish Gaelic Caoimhe, meaning “gentle, beautiful, precious”—a perfect fit for her nature. Known for her thick, fluffy coat, gentle temperament, and howl-greetings, Keeva brings warmth and calm to the therapeutic space. She helps demonstrate how the presence of a dog can reduce stress and support emotional regulation. The days she attends the Practice varies therefore please make a note when booking if you would like her to be present.
BRISBANE Emotional wellbeing support
The Therapy Space
