Melanie Gruben(She/her)
We live in brutal times. Capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism, white supremacy, ableism, transphobia, and homophobia have fashioned a world conducive to anxiety and depression. While nearly everyone is struggling, marginalised humans receive the sharpest edge of oppression. On top of whatever else we may be dealing with, we must navigate a system that is ignorant of or hostile to our needs.
The last thing we need in our struggle is to turn to a therapist for care and find a lack of understanding. That is why Violet Psychology is such an important resource, and I aim to be one of several therapists who can provide an attuned response to what you are going through. I provide LGBTQIA+-affirming, neuro-affirming, and ethical non-monogamy competent psychotherapy in a nonjudgmental space.
MY APPROACH
I am a humanistic integrative practitioner with a Rogerian approach. This means that I treat you as the authority in your own life, and my role as a therapist is to create an environment where we can collaborate to solve your problems based on your own drives and desires.
The integrative part means I sometimes incorporate other perspectives such as compassion-based therapy, mindfulness, body acceptance, attachment theory, harm reduction, and solution-focused brief therapy. Overall, my aim is to create a safe and welcoming environment where you can tease out your own answers and explore your inner processes. My first duty is to be your ally; my second, your guide.
No two humans have the same timeline for growth, but the humanistic method is usually more effective over longer periods of time. I am also available for brief counselling.
QUALIFICATIONS
I am an accredited graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland, member number M13603. I completed my BSc in Psychology at Arizona State University and my MSc in Psychological Science at the University of Limerick. I trained in LGBTQIA+ counselling with the Trevor Project (Saving LGBTQ+ Lives) out of West Hollywood, California and have done extensive continuing professional development on autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. I am also a researcher in digital accessibility. I am currently qualified to practice in Ireland, Europe, and the UK.
IDENTITIES
I am an autistic bisexual lesbian, a socialist feminist, a chronically ill person, and an organizer active in anti-racist campaigns. Free Palestine.
Melanie works online to increase accessibility for herself and for her neurodivergent, disabled, and rurally-based clients.
Melanie’s Fees are: 75 euro for a 50-minute online session. Irish Life and VHI insurance policy holders with certain mental health coverage can submit claims for reimbursement on my sessions.