About Us:
Carola de Souza
Carol Swan
Krystyna Hessel
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Stewart and Associates Counselling and Consulting Services Inc. (SACCS)
About: Ruth-Ann Stewart, MA PSYCH, RCSW
| Education | Treatment Philosophy | Your Rights |
| Experience | Limits of Confidentiality |
EDUCATION
I am designated as a Registered Social Worker Clinical
for Private Practice. I am also a member of the B.C. Association of
Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Guidance
Association. I received my Early Childhood Education Certificate in
1978, and then went on to complete my Bachelor Degree in Social Work in
1983. I interned at the Children’s Psychiatric Outpatients' Unit at
V.G.H. and the Ministry of Social Services. In 1990, I returned to
school to complete an internship in Bowenian, multigenerational family
systems therapy (couple and family therapy) at the North Shore
Counselling Centre. In 1996, I completed the Masters of Counselling
Psychology Program, specializing in Couple and Family Therapy, at
Antioch University in Seattle. I also have specialized training in Adult
Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, EMDR and
Trauma.
EXPERIENCE
I have been in the helping profession for thirty years. I
have worked in a variety of therapeutic settings which include child
protection, adolescent treatment programs, the children’s psychiatric
unit at V.G.H., Project Parent as a Family Therapist, school based
counselling through Family Services, as a Contract Therapist at Share
Counselling Centre.. I have been in private practice for over 15 years.
My private practice includes clients from a variety of ethnic and
economic backgrounds. I work with children, individuals, couples and
families. I contract with most of the Employee Assistance Programs and
have extensive experience with conflict resolution and mediation in the
workplace. I have worked with the First Nation communities of Bella
Coola and Tsawwassen on a contract basis and continue to work with urban
First Nations who have been affected by residential schools. I have also
taught at Vancouver Community College, the Counsellor Training Institute
and City University. I clinically supervise other therapists’ and
Interns.
TREATMENT
PHILOSOPHY
Although I adhere to the multi-generational family
systems framework with a feminist perspective, my approach to
counselling varies depending upon the issues to be resolved, and your
needs. My counselling approach, then, may include, but is not limited
to, family of origin work, person-centered, cognitive, behavioural,
existential, humanistic, brief-solution focused. I will use those tools
that I believe will most benefit you.
Much of my work has been with anxiety and depression, trauma survivors, substance misuse, loss and grief, obsessive compulsive disorder, life transition, personal growth, Residential school trauma, career exploration and relationship issues.
I find that many issues that are presented in therapy go back to early childhood. I do not necessarily believe that the client should live in the past, but I do believe that we often need to go back in order to move ahead.
I do not guarantee any particular outcome of treatment. However, I will use my skills and perform all of my services for you in a professional, competent manner. The course of treatment hinges on such factors as the severity and duration of the issue as well as the motivation and cooperation of the client.
YOUR RIGHTS
Clients always have the right to request a change in counselling
approach, referral to another counsellor, or termination of therapy at
any time. As a member of the B.C.
Association of Clinical Counsellors, Canadian Guidance and Counselling
Association, and as a Registered Social Worker, I am accountable for my
work with you.
If you have any concerns about the course of treatment, please discuss
them with me. If you determine that I cannot help you, you may seek out
another therapist, or you can ask me to help you find one. If you choose
to see one of our Associates, please inform us of this choice. Should
you feel that I have been unethical or unprofessional, you may contact
the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors at (250) 595-4448, the
Canadian Guidance and Counselling Association at (613) 238-4236, and The
Board of Registration for Social Workers at (604) 737-6809.
STATEMENT ON
THE LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY
All counselling is strictly confidential. Records related to your
psychotherapy or counselling; or even the fact that you are a client,
are only to be released to others with your permission ({delete}
written), or by a court order. You are entitled to privacy and to expect
that all communication and records related to your service are kept
confidential.
You may expect to be fully informed as to any written material sent out
on your behalf.
There are exceptions to this contract of confidentiality; your therapist
is required by law to report to the proper authorities in the case of
child abuse (if a person who is a child is being hurt or is in danger),
or if there is any possibility of a suicide or homicide, and if your
reports are subpoenaed by a Court.
Our Clinical Staff participate in regular group supervision meetings. During Supervision, cases may be reviewed in a confidential and non-identifying manner. Review of cases helps to ensure that our clinicians are providing you with the most effective psychotherapy.
Updated: June 18, 2010