Ruth Klein

I start from the relationship, even when only one person is in the room. I want to understand how the feeling and the behaviour are being shaped by a pattern with a partner, a child, a parent, or the family as it has been. With a couple or a family we look at that pattern together: what keeps the conflict going, and what a different response would ask of each person.

The way of working is integrative. I choose what fits the situation rather than putting everyone through the same method. For insomnia I use cognitive behavioural therapy aimed at sleep. When sexuality is part of the difficulty, I can draw on sex therapy in a straightforward way. For health-related distress I stay with the psychological side of the medical condition.

The relationship between us is part of the work. I believe the fit between us matters.

An individual session is 50 minutes. I use the first meeting to hear what brought you, whether that is a relationship, mood, stress, a transition, sleep, or the psychological side of a health problem. I will ask who else is in the picture, because I work from relationship patterns and family dynamics even when we are meeting one to one.

I work with individuals, couples and families. I also work with people facing the emotional side of a medical condition. The hour booked here is individual. Couples and families are part of the practice.

I am integrative: I use more than one approach, chosen for what you are actually facing, including cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and, when it fits, ideas from sex therapy. I read problems through relationship patterns and family dynamics. I have also served as a Clinical Director and as Director of Clinical Services, so I have spent time on the quality of care, not only in the individual hour.

I am a psychologist. My BA is from Barnard College, Columbia University. I consult through Clinical Directions Consulting, working with behavioural health organisations on clinical operations, quality systems, and clinical review in mental health, substance use treatment and developmental disability services. That includes consultation when a standard of care, a record, or a regulatory question is what the organisation needs looked at.