Hi, I’m Ruth, and I’m a fully qualified, BACP-registered integrative psychotherapist offering face-to-face therapy in Buckhurst Hill. This work is my passion because I believe change is possible. I’m invested in it and curious to help individuals to discover what change might mean to them. During our work together, you are the most important person in the room.
You don’t need to have the “right words” or even a clear reason for starting therapy. Some people know exactly what they want to explore, and others aren’t sure where to begin. However you arrive at therapy is completely okay.
My approach is calm, collaborative, and flexible. I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches to tailor our work to you: your pace, your needs, and what feels most supportive.
Cost
£50- £70 (online sessions start at £50)
Availability
Evenings and weekends
Why you might be here
Life is complicated and complex, and it can be hard to deal with things on your own.
I work with clients aged 18 – 85 across many areas, including
• Depression or low mood
• Domestic abuse
• Childhood and adult trauma
• Grief, bereavement and loss
• Loneliness
• Low self-esteem
• Exploring sexual identity
• Diagnoses of ADHD or autism
• Alcohol and substance misuse
• Relationship issues or breakdowns
• Work stress
• Family pressures
• Cultural and religious pressures
Experiences like these can feel deeply overwhelming, and therapy can provide the space to explore, process, and make sense of what you’ve been through and what you’re going through. These experiences might stem from current challenges or earlier life events that still shape how you feel.
Whether your concerns feel ‘big’ or ‘small’, I believe everyone deserves to be seen and heard. You’ll be met without judgement in a safe, confidential space. We’ll work together to navigate life’s challenges in a way that feels healthier, calmer, and more manageable.
How It Works
Step 1 – Free 15-minute introductory chat
We’ll have a short online or phone chat to see if working together feels right. No commitment required. In fact, I encourage you to “shop around” to find the therapist who’s right for you.
Step 2 – Trial session
Your first session aims to give you a gentle way to start exploring therapy.
Step 3 – Ongoing sessions
If it feels right, we can meet:
• Weekly or fortnightly
• For 50-minute sessions
• In-person or online (whatever fits your life)
• Open-ended or fixed number of sessions – we’ll decide together. There’s never any pressure to continue.
Therapy is flexible. Many people find regular sessions help build understanding and long-term change. Some people prefer face-to-face therapy because it offers a consistent space away from everyday life, while online sessions can provide greater flexibility.
You don’t need to have the perfect words when reaching out. A simple message saying hello is enough.
Training, qualifications & experience
People often ask about the difference between a Psychotherapist, Counsellor, or Counselling Psychologist. While the titles reflect different training routes, the aim is the same – to support you through life’s challenges.
I’m a fully qualified, BACP-registered integrative Psychotherapist with a Post Grad Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy from the University of East London. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from London Metropolitan University; I am a trained teacher and a funeral celebrant accredited by Humanists UK.
By integrative, I mean that I’m trained in the main therapeutic theories and approaches. This allows me to draw on different models and adapt our work in the way that feels most helpful and supportive for you.
My work so far has been in various contexts across a wide range of ages. Recent organisations I’ve worked for have been focused on grief and bereavement, anxiety, depression and stress.
My background is in training and adult education, including assessing university students for the Disabled Students Allowance. I currently maintain my therapy practice alongside my work as an accredited funeral celebrant, and from my professional as well as my own experiences of grief and loss, I get what it is to live with life-altering loss. My sense of “otherness” is largely informed by my sexuality as a lesbian, and so, knowing what it is to feel different informs every aspect of my practice.
I love what I do. As a client of therapy myself, I know how difficult the work can be, but I credit it for much of the peace and contentment I enjoy day to day now. I hope to do the same for you.
As a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, I meet nationally recognised training standards, follow a strict ethical framework, and am professionally approved to practise as a therapist.
If something in Ruth Silverstone’s profile resonates with you, you’re very welcome to reach out below, and Ruth will be in touch.