A Space of Belonging

No matter what you’re carrying or where you’ve been, you don’t have to be alone in this. Every part of you is welcome here—including the parts you fear are unworthy, unlovable, or unforgivable. This is a space where all parts of you—especially the ones you struggle to hold—are met with understanding, refuge, and belonging.

My Story

I’m Robbie Ruddell, a Registered Clinical Counsellor in British Columbia. My work is rooted in relational neuroscience, attachment theory, and somatic therapy, integrating body-based and relational approachesto support deep healing. I believe that healing happens through relationship, embodied awareness, and compassionate presence—not just through talking, but by working with the body and nervous system to create lasting transformation.

I know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate internalized shame, feelings of not being enough, and the journey toward self-acceptance. My personal experiences—alongside specialized training—have deeply shaped the way I show up in support of others.

Over the years, my own healing journey has led me through various modalities, from Kundalini Yoga and Qi-Gong to Dream Therapy and Loving-Kindness Meditation. These experiences have reinforced my trust in the wisdom and resilience of the human body, a cornerstone of my clinical practice. I integrate these perspectives to support clients in feeling more connected, grounded, and at home in themselves.

The Heart of My Work

Healing unfolds not just through experience, but through deepening our understanding of the process itself. My clinical approach is relational, embodied, and deeply attuned to the nervous system and attachment patterns. Therapy is not just about talking—it’s about reconnecting with the body, regulating the nervous system, and shifting relational patterns toward greater safety and connection.

I integrate principles from Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy, the field of Interpersonal Neurobiology, and Self-Compassion Research to offer a therapeutic space that is deeply attuned, fosters safety, and supports healing at both relational and physiological levels.

Guiding Principles

  • Somatic & Body-Based Awareness – Engaging the wisdom of the body to support emotional processing and nervous system regulation.

  • Relational Healing – Working within the therapeutic relationship to develop new patterns of connection, trust, and self-awareness.

  • Trauma-Informed Practice – Supporting healing through safety, co-regulation, and careful pacing.

  • Self-Compassion & Mindfulness – Shifting from self-criticism toward deeper self-acceptance.

For a more in-depth exploration of my therapeutic approach, visit my Clinical Framework of Practice page.

Education & Training

Education

  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology – University of British Columbia, Canada

  • Master of Arts in Psychology – St. Andrews University, Scotland

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling – University of Cambridge, England

Advanced Clinical Training

  • Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy (Two-Year Training) – Lisa Mortimore, PhD (In Progress)

  • SmartBody SmartMind: Rewiring the Nervous System – Irene Lyon, M.Sc. (2023-24)

  • Heart-Based Training in Relational Neuroscience for Healing (Years 1 & 2) – Bonnie Badenoch, PhD (2022-24)

  • Healing Trauma & Addiction – Gabor Maté, M.D. (2022)

  • Mindful Self-Compassion Core Skills Training – Kristin Neff, PhD & Chris Germer, PhD (2020)

  • Trauma-Informed Practice Training (Levels 1 & 2) – Alyson Quinn, MSW & Trish Walsh, BA (2019)

Pathways of Support

Individual Support

We all need to feel supported along our journey towards health and healing. Whether that’s finding company with the parts of ourselves that have become discarded, neglected, or hidden over the years, or support in taking those first courageous steps towards living a life we truly and deeply yearn for. This space is here to support you along this journey.

Collective Healing

It is natural for us as humans to feel alone in our suffering, to move away from the pain by disconnecting from ourselves and disengaging from those around us. If you find yourself in dark forests, know that you are not alone and that you are always welcome in this space. Some of the most powerful medicine can stem from the inherent and profound wisdom born out of collective healing experiences.

Workshops

Let’s not forget to nourish our beautiful minds! May we peacefully collapse into the knowledge that whatever we’re experiencing, we’re experiencing something human. To truly understand, at a deep level, that there is nothing inherently wrong with you can be profoundly healing. Learning about ourselves can teach us how our bodies have always naturally moved us towards protection and safety.