Ruth-anne Donellsen

As a late identified AuDHD PDAer, single parent to two teens, previous homeschooling organic homesteader with punk rock, social justice, and Buddhist DIY roots, the therapy I offer is social justice-minded, identity-affirming and trauma informed. I view my clients as autonomous beings with their own direction, motivations and ways of being that drive who they wish to be and are in this world. We are all unique, and we have complicated lives, so what we explore together is directed by your desires for yourself, informed and affected by all that you are and will be. You always know yourself best. I'm here to provide my support, knowledge, facilitate growth, share information, develop skill, provide guidance, and offer a safe non-judgemental space to explore, expand and shift in your understanding and perspectives. I instinctively take a non-directive approach, but will be more directive, provide more prompts, and structure if requested directly, or I will offer it as an option if I get the sense it might ease engagement.

I do my best to accommodate client needs whenever possible. These can include many things, but for example if a client needs to avoid being perceived having their camera off is ok, or if situational mutism is a factor during a session, switching to text is always an option. I also offer home visits for local clients who are unable to make it to my office and find online sessions too challenging.

My view is that mental health is so much more than self-care and individual perspective, it is also deeply affected by systemic discrimination based on ableism, racism, gendered norms, privilege and oppression in all its varieties. This is why my work, although centred around the individual first, always involves a focus on social justice and affecting change in the society in which they reside. I believe therapy is inherently political, and my stance is one of justice for clients.