Claire Ruthven
Individual and Couples Counsellor
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
I’ve provided counselling and support to individuals, couples, and families for over 10 years, both in my private practice and in the community health sector.
My approach to counselling starts by allowing space and time to get to know you, and what has brought you to seek support with me. I enjoy getting to know people from all walks of life, and I aim to facilitate a warm and trusting experience. I’ve and helped people in sessions who are affected by anxiety, depression, relationship problems and trauma, from childhood through to senior years.
Counselling enhances the quality of our lives and relationships by helping us become more aware of thoughts, patterns, ideas and values; this helps us deepen our insight of why we are who we are, which in turn helps us to develop into the persons we want to be.
My approach is underpinned by years of experience and training in psychological and therapeutic techniques including psychodynamic/relational theories, the polyvagal theory, trauma informed practice, cognitive behavioural therapy and focused psychological theories. I often weave all these techniques together in a session.
I’m a registered mental health social worker with the AASW, and I trained for 2 years with Australia’s preeminent couples counselling organisation, Relationships Australia.
I address these areas in my practice:
- Relationship and couples counselling
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Historical trauma
- Parenting and the transition to parenthood
- Grief and Loss
- Life dissatisfaction
- Barriers to experiencing a fulfilled and meaningful life
To Contact Claire
Please call Hartington Reception: (03) 9482 1888 or Email: info@hartington.com.au
Fees
Sessions run for 60 mins.
Fees are set in line with AASW recommendations, operating via a sliding scale based on joint household income, and whether sessions are face-to-face or via telehealth. Fees range from $90 and $150 and will be established during an initial phone consultation according to your means.
Medicare rebates are available with a referral from a GP for a mental health care plan and can assist with the cost of fees. Please note, rebates are not available for couples counselling.
Qualifications
Tertiary Education
Specialist Course in Couples Therapy and Internship, Relationships Australia/Swinburne University
Bachelor of Social Work, La Trobe University
Graduate Certificate in Careers Counselling and Education, RMIT University
Professional Training
Clinical Supervision Training, The Bouverie Family Institute Centre
Family Foundations Facilitator Training, The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Parent-Centred Parent Work, Ron Ingram
Child and Family Development, Centre for Child and Family Development with Ruth Schmit Neven