Ruth Byrne

Psychologist
Bachelor of Business in Marketing, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honours) and Master of Organisational Psychology

Pronouns: She/her

Ruth Byrne psychologist

Four beliefs that colour the way I work with my clients:

I believe…

We are ALL work in progress.

I believe…

That life is not for the faint hearted. With vulnerability, courage, and support, we can work through most of what life has to throw at us.

I believe…

We are human beings, not human doings. We need to offer ourselves compassion, time, and space to sometimes step off the treadmill of life.

I believe…

We are all here on earth for a purpose. The key to navigating meaning in life is understanding your values and how you can live in alignment with them.

Get to know me

My secret talent:
Homemade pizza! And buying more books when I already have a stack waiting to be read!

What’s it like to be in a room with me?
My first imperative is that you feel safe and supported in opening up. I create space in a warm and friendly way to put you at ease, through listening and gentle enquiry. We clarify together what you would like to explore and work on. Clients come away from my sessions feeling they have had authentic conversations with someone kind, patient and that they can trust. By raising your awareness and equipping you with tools to navigate life’s challenges, together we push up against your growing edges where meaningful change can occur.

What’s my non-negotiable when it comes to taking care of my own mental health?
I took up running 10 years ago when I turned 40 and it has been a game changer for taking care of my mental health. I love being outdoors and challenging my body on a run, or enjoying a brisk walk. Delicious & nutritious food with room for treats – including wine! Processing what I’m thinking and feeling through journalling and heart to heart conversation. Sleep!

My life motto:
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
And if not now, when?”
– Scholar Hillel

My background and experience

I came to psychology following a career in business and many years as a mature age student, and have now been working therapeutically with clients for over nine years, predominantly in the employee assistance program sector. At the heart of therapy is the relationship between myself and my client. I am highly regarded for my dependability, sincerity and clinical skills, creating a strong connection with clients where they feel valued and respected and thus able to engage authentically when working together.

I am a LGBTQIA+ aware and affirmative clinician.

melbourne psychologists

I can help you with:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression & low mood
  • Grief and loss
  • Infidelity
  • Life changes and transitions
  • Living with cancer
  • Low self-esteem
  • Navigating dating
  • Perfectionism
  • Personal growth
  • Personal stress
  • Pre and postnatal mental health
  • Relationship difficulties with intimate partner, parents, siblings, in-laws, & friends
  • Separation and divorce
  • Sleep problems
  • Terminal illness and end of life issues
  • Trauma
  • Vicarious trauma
  • Wellbeing
  • Workplace bullying, harassment & discrimination
  • Workplace relationships
  • Work-Life balance

My therapeutic approaches

Depending on my client’s needs and preferences I use a variety of evidence-based approaches including:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Attachment & Relational Neurobiology
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Compassion based approaches
  • Emotion Focused Therapy
  • Positive Psychology
  • Relational Gestalt Therapy
  • Solution Focused Therapy