Ruta Gabalis
Integrative Psychology & Therapy
Individual therapy, relationship counselling, and parent mentoring
I offer integrative, psychologically grounded therapy for adults, couples, and parents. I work online with clients based in the UK and internationally, particularly with people who are navigating complexity, responsibility, and life transitions — often while living between roles, cultures, or expectations. I also offer in-person sessions where appropriate.
Emotional and relational difficulties rarely sit in one place. Our inner worlds, bodies, relationships, histories, and current circumstances are deeply interconnected, and meaningful change tends to emerge when these are held together rather than treated in isolation. Therapy, for me, is not about fixing parts, but about understanding the whole person within the life they are living.
My approach is relational and integrative, drawing on psychological theory while staying firmly rooted in lived experience. I do not work primarily with labels or surface symptoms; I work with people — their patterns, inner conflicts, relational histories, and the capacities they are already carrying, often without realising it.
Whether you are feeling emotionally overloaded, experiencing strain in your relationship, or finding parenting particularly demanding, I offer a steady, reflective space where things can slow down. From there, insight can develop, emotions can be better understood, and change can take shape at a pace that feels both safe and sustainable.
How I work
My work is grounded in the understanding that human experience is complex and interconnected. Thoughts, emotions, bodily responses, relationships, and early experiences continually shape one another, often outside of conscious awareness. When one part is under strain, it is rarely helpful to treat it in isolation.
I work holistically and psychologically, drawing on integrative therapeutic approaches that allow me to attend to both insight and lived experience. This means we may explore patterns of thinking, emotional responses, relational dynamics, and embodied reactions, always in a way that feels coherent rather than overwhelming.
The therapeutic relationship itself is central to my work. I offer a steady, reflective presence where curiosity is encouraged and nothing needs to be forced. For clients who are highly reflective or intellectually oriented, therapy can become a place where understanding deepens first, and emotional change follows naturally.
I do not believe in rushing change or applying techniques without context. Instead, I work collaboratively, supporting you to develop awareness, self-compassion, and choice. Over time, this creates the conditions for meaningful and sustainable change — psychologically, relationally, and emotionally. Read more
Who I work with
I work with adults, couples, and parents who are seeking thoughtful psychological support and a space to reflect on their inner and relational worlds. I work with both UK-based clients and people living internationally who want a serious, relational, reflective form of online psychological work. All sessions are offered online (Zoom) and can be booked from anywhere in the world.
Many of the people I work with are capable, responsible, and outwardly functioning, yet find themselves feeling emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in familiar patterns. Some describe living largely “in their heads,” relying on thinking and self-analysis while finding it difficult to access or tolerate their emotional experience.
I support individuals who are navigating anxiety, low mood, stress, identity questions, or the impact of earlier relational experiences. Others come because relationships have become strained, repetitive, or painful, and they want to understand what is happening beneath the surface rather than simply manage symptoms.
I also work with parents who are thoughtful and deeply invested in their children, yet find themselves feeling uncertain, reactive, or depleted. Parent mentoring offers a reflective space to consider both your child’s needs and your own emotional responses, recognising that parenting is as much about the inner relationship as the outer behaviour.
Whether you are seeking individual therapy, relationship counselling, or parent support, my work is suited to those who value reflection, depth, and a collaborative approach to change.
The ways of working
I offer several ways of working, depending on what you are seeking support with. While each service has a distinct focus, all are grounded in the same holistic, psychologically informed approach.
A reflective space to explore emotional difficulties, patterns of thinking, and the impact of past and present relationships. This work supports greater self-understanding, emotional regulation, and meaningful psychological change.
For individuals or couples experiencing relational strain, recurring conflict, or emotional distance. We work to understand underlying dynamics, communication patterns, and emotional needs within the relationship.
A supportive space for parents who want to reflect on their child’s behaviour alongside their own emotional responses. This work considers both the child’s developmental needs and the parent’s inner experience.
What It’s Like to Work Together
Beginning therapy can feel like a significant step.
Many people arrive unsure of what they need, whether their difficulties are “enough,” or how to put into words what feels unsettled inside.
My role is not to rush understanding or impose solutions, but to offer a steady, thoughtful space where exploration can unfold naturally. We work collaboratively, with care and respect for your pace, allowing clarity to develop over time rather than forcing change.
Whether you come with a clear focus or a more general sense that something needs attention, you are not expected to have everything worked out before we begin.
Blog
Further reflections, if you wish to explore.
The Body Keeps the Score (But Not the Story) – Part 1
Many people understand their emotional patterns yet still feel anxious, tense, or reactive in their bodies. This piece explores why insight alone often isn’t enough — and how the nervous system holds experience not as story, but as pattern. A gentle introduction to relational, integrative therapy.
When Children Speak Through Behaviour
Concerned about your child’s behaviour? This UK-based blog explores emotional regulation, parenting without templates, and when parent mentoring may help.
Unleashing the Power of Creative Expression: The Transformative Journey of Art Therapy
As human beings, we often find ourselves longing for deeper self-understanding, a way to process our emotions, and a path to personal growth. In the ever-evolving landscape of holistic well-being, art therapy emerges as a profoundly transformative modality, allowing us to unlock the hidden treasures within our hearts and minds.
Contact
Ruta Gabalis Integrative Psychology and Therapy
38 Spalt Close, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 2UN
+44 7949 430411
info@rutagabalis.co.uk
© Ruta Gabalis Integrative Psychology & Therapy
Online Therapy (International) | In-Person Therapy (UK)