Ruth Murdoch B.A., Dipl. Art Therapy, MC (Counselling Psychology), CCC, RCAT
Ruth has been in private practice in Smithers, BC for 14 years, first as a registered art therapist, and then as a certified counsellor who integrates art therapy into her work with clients. She has a Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and a Master of Counselling in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. She works with individuals (children, teens, adults), couples, and families dealing with a wide range of issues.
Through her long-standing interest in working with survivors of historical and recent trauma (and associated symptoms) and people coping with loss, disability, and chronic or life-threatening illness, Ruth has come to appreciate how important it is to work with clients in a body-centered way. She brings to this group a keen sensibility of how our life experiences can impact us at all levels of our being - cognitively, emotionally, spiritually, and physically - and a belief that exploring our relationships with our bodies can add depth to our self-understanding.
Birgit lives in Smithers, BC, where she works as a
health care provider, school counsellor, and Buteyko Breathing Educator. She has a degree in psychology from the
University of Alberta, a teaching degree from UNBC, and is currently doing her
Masters degree in counselling through UNBC. Birgit has many diverse interests, and has
presented at a number of conferences on the topics of the psychology of pain,
psychodrama, and breathing in relation to overall health. She is the UNBC student representative for
the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a member of the
Buteyko Breathing Educators Association.
Birgit is a mom of two, and when not working or studying, can be found
skiing, snowshoeing, on her mountain bike or motorbike.
Birgit will be co-facilitating this group under Ruth's supervision as a part of her counsellor training.