About me

Hello, I'm Folashade Gertrude Rufai, a proud Galwegian with a rich heritage blending Togolaise, Nigerian, and English roots. Having lived in Ireland since the age of three, it has become a significant part of my identity.

Professionally, I am a mental health nurse and psychotherapist, and my true passion lies in guiding individuals through the healing process, particularly those who have faced traumatic experiences, grief, mental health challenges, or life's everyday struggles. My goal is to help clients cultivate positive self-perceptions and build stronger relationships, enabling them to recognize their inner peace and wholeness. In my therapeutic approach, I emphasize the importance of relationships, exploring how clients relate to themselves and others. This relational focus allows us to practice transformative changes within the therapy room before applying them to real-life relationships.

I find great fulfillment in working with individuals who have struggled to find reliability in their lives, as I aim to be a trustworthy presence for them. Building this trust can be a transformative experience, enabling them to foster healthy relationships with others, ultimately breaking the cycle of isolation. I believe that the journey of emotional healing and personal growth extends beyond psychological issues to reconnecting with one's spiritual self. Through collaboration, I strive to help clients embody spontaneity, autonomy, and intimacy, promoting healthier functioning in life.

My ultimate aim is to guide clients beyond mere coping towards genuine healing, helping them rediscover lost parts of themselves and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and inner peace, empowering them to reach their fullest potential.

Why go to therapy

It's important to remember that it's okay not to feel okay. Our mental health can be affected at any stage in our lives, and sometimes, it's the most resilient individuals whose suffering remains hidden. When you find yourself in distress or isolation, know that you can always reach out to for help. I offer a welcoming and secure environment where you can truly be yourself. Together, we will navigate the challenges you're facing, helping you regain control over your life. While self-help methods can be effective for some, others may find that their desired changes are short-lived or elusive. This is where therapy can provide invaluable support. Your mental well-being matters, and there is always a path toward healing and growth.

Education & Accreditation

Qualified Psychotherapist and Mental Health Nurse with experience working with an array of mental health issues in facilities like St Patrick’s Hospital.

 BA in Mental health nursing from the University of Galway,
Completed a Master in Integrative Psychotherapy from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences (ICHAS)
Completed a certificate in Group therapy Through PCI College.

Gertrude’s work focuses on person-centred. This modality is centred on the principle of empowering clients to find their own answers. Training as an integrative psychotherapist means that sometimes she combines different therapeutic modalities in practice such as :

Person-Centred,
Existential
Humanistic-Integrative Approach,
Culture-sensitive Counselling,
Psycho-dynamic Therapy,
Trauma-Informed therapy

Gertrude’s approach also includes considerations for diversity such as race, religion age, disability and sexuality, etc.

Furthermore, she has acquired Continuous professional development in the following areas:

Psychospiritual counselling
Internal family therapy
Schema therapy and inner child work
Child and adolescent psychotherapy
Childhood sexual abuse: uncovering the secret through breathwork.
DRCC – Adult survivors of childhood abuse.

Accredited with NAPCP - National Association for Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy.

This means I meet the high standards they set for psychotherapists, including ethical standards, standards for continued training and supervision requirements. This also includes attending personal therapy and professional supervision.

Please note that training standards are not uniform across the UK and training standards vary widely. The terms ‘counsellor’, ‘therapist’ and ‘psychotherapist’ are not currently legally protected titles.