Ruth Mitchell

My name is Ruth Mitchell and through my current employment at Barnardos Aotearoa, and  my prior roles at Whakatu Women's Refuge, I have seven years experience working alongside women and
children who have experienced, and been impacted by the trauma of  family harm. Experience and skills gained include carrying out  comprehensive risk and safety assessments, delivery of the Ministry of Justice Safety Programmes for women, tamariki, and rangatahi (group and individual), crisis work, and advocacy.  Prior to my social work training, I worked for nine years for IDEA Services, supporting people with intellectual and physical disability in both residential and supported living. 
   

I feel my strengths and transferable skills include; client focused assessment, the ability to build safe, authentic therapeutic relationships (both individually and in a group setting), a sound knowledge and understanding of the effects of abuse and trauma informed practice, client centered and strengths based approach, and experience working alongside people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. I am passionate about supporting people to overcome challenges in their lives, and genuinely feel it is a privilege to work alongside someone in their unique healing journey. I am also a  strong proponent of Critical Theory in my social work practice, and believe that in order for someone to truly empower themselves, their ''individual issues must be viewed within the context of the social structures/agencies they are engaged with e.g.The Courts, with any inequality, discrimination, and oppression being identified and addressed where possible. I am excited about the prospect of joining the Nelson Clinic team, with the aim of  increasing my knowledge and skills, developing my practice, and finding a better work/life balance.