Wimborne Psychology
Communications House
23D West Street
Wimborne
BH21 1JS
An Independent Mental Health Service
for clients of all ages
Assessment, Therapy & Consultation
Welcome to Wimborne Psychology
Here you will find all the information you need to help you make a referral to our service.
Established since 2018, we are an Independent Mental Health Service supporting children, young people and adults with their mental health and well-being.
As well as providing evidence based therapies based on the NICE guidelines, we also provide Gold Standard ADHD and autism assessments for children (from age 5) as well as adults.
All of our clinicians are trained to a very high standard and provide excellent quality of care.
For more information please scroll the ABOUT button at the top of the page.
Many of our clinicians have been approved by Health Insurance Providers.
Click here for a list of FEES.
For Information about our therapists please click the CLINICIANS button at the top of the page.
For all enquiries and to make a self-referral please CONTACT us and we will send you a form to complete.
With the support of Claire Williams, Practice Coordinator, you will be internally referred to the most appropriate clinician and an assessment appointment will be arranged. If there is a wait, you will be notified of the outcome and informed of your place on the waiting list.
Your clinician will begin by undertaking an assessment which may last a few sessions. This helps them to understand your needs, what changes you would like to make as well as which model of therapy is most suited to you.
Children and Families
With children and families we work 'systemically' which means to include key family members and other important people at various stages of the treatment. Based on research, this aims to ensure the best possible outcome for long term gains.
Adolescents and Adults
With older adolescents and adults, family members may be invited to sessions but the work is typically 1:1. This helps to create a safe and confidential space allowing you to develop the trust needed to work through the difficulties you are facing.
Couples
With couples, both of you will attend the first session and an agreement will be made as to whether you wish to continue meeting as a couple or for one of you to come individually.
Therapy session length
Therapy sessions last for approximately 50 minutes unless otherwise agreed.
Meet the Team
Ruth Simmons - Clinical Nurse Therapist & Mindfulness Teacher
Hello, I’m Ruth Simmons, a postgraduate Mental Health Practitioner and Mindfulness Teacher. I have a BSc degree in Psychology from the University of Reading, a postgraduate diploma with Registration in Mental Health Nursing from King’s College London and a Mindfulness teacher accreditation with Breathworks. I have 12 years experience working in NHS and social care community settings, across a lifespan with children, young people, adults, couples and families.
Following my psychology degree I worked for Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care as a life skills coach, alongside an additional research position at Reading’s Charlie Waller Anxiety Clinic.
As a student nurse in London, I contributed to 24-hour mental health care across specialist community and inpatient health care settings including child, adolescent, adult and older adult acute wards, and a community psychosis team. During my elective placement in Uganda, I gained experience at a general nursing hospital and a psychiatric hospital.
As a Multisystemic Therapist in London then Reading I worked intensively and systemically with young people and their families, schools, their peer groups and their local community. My work focused on restoring relationships within the family home, improving emotional wellbeing and engaging these young people in education, pro-social activities and making healthier choices.
I then worked as a Primary Mental Health Specialist in Reading’s Tier 2 CAMHS service. This involved assessment and treatment for children and young people, as well as providing training and consultation mainly within schools and to social care teams. Training modules focused on anxiety, self-harm, attachment and trauma, depression, and eating disorders. I regularly interfaced with parents and carers and delivered the ‘overcoming programme’ to parents of anxious children.
After completing the MBCT Course with Oxford University in 2017, I trained as a Mindfulness Teacher and gained accreditation with Breathworks in 2022.
I am practised in carrying out holistic mental health assessments and selecting appropriate evidence-based interventions from my ‘toolkit’. I work systemically, and draw on relevant aspects of these models and concepts during sessions: mindfulness coaching for health and stress, self-compassion, trauma sensitive mindfulness, mindful movement, acceptance and commitment therapy, systemic approaches, graded exposure for overcoming anxiety, mentalisation, attachment theory, trauma and the developing brain, responsive mindful parenting, emotional regulation, holistic sleep coaching (for new families) and child focused consultations to parents, caregivers and schools.
I am able to therapeutically support clients with the following difficulties:
- Phobias and fears
- Generalised anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Separation anxiety
- Low mood and depression
- Stressful living
- Chronic pain
- Sleep problems
- Poor self-worth and self-criticism
- Family relationship difficulties including parental mental health issues
- Pre and postnatal mental health issues
- Systemic concerns around a child including impact of family, peer, education and community issues
- Attachment and bonding concerns between child-caregiver
I am passionate about providing systemic and effective therapeutic intervention which connects talking therapies with contemplative practices including mindfulness and self-compassion. Sessions will be a safe and non-judgmental space.
For every unique individual or family who seeks my support, my hope is to meet you where you are at, and with care, compassion and competence, aim to alleviate suffering, and provide you with skills to feel empowered, regain balance, and self-sustain your mental health and physical well-being through life’s ups and downs.
I currently work online only.
Age range:
Children, Adolescents and Adults.
Registration:
NMC Registered
Membership:
Breathworks Accredited
Enhanced DBS
Contact
- Communications House, 23D West Street, Wimborne BH21 1JS, UK
- wimbornepsychology@gmail.com
- Monday to Saturday
If you would like to make an enquiry please complete this form or send us an email. Please note we are not an emergency service and all contacts are scheduled as an appointment only. If your need is urgent, please contact your GP or 111.