Clinical Supervision
with Mercedes
A space to build confidence, explore possibilities, and grow as a therapist.
You don’t need to come to supervision with everything figured out.
Perhaps you’re feeling unsure about a case, wondering how to approach a difficult conversation, or looking for new ways to support a client. Supervision is a space to bring those questions and explore them together.
I offer individual clinical supervision for Registered Counselling Therapist Candidates (RCT-Cs) working toward registration, as well as therapists seeking support further along in their careers.
I welcome internationally trained therapists navigating registration in Canada, including experienced practitioners who are returning to supervised practice after moving here.
Sessions are available in person in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and virtually.
A Little About Me
I’m Mercedes Ruiz, a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), and NSCCT-approved supervisor. I’ve been practising since 2008 and supervising RCT-Cs since 2023.
Originally from Mexico, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master’s in Gestalt Psychotherapy. When I moved to Nova Scotia in 2013, I had to begin again as a candidate despite having been fully licensed for over five years. That experience helps me connect with internationally trained therapists navigating registration here, while honouring the experience they already bring.
My clinical interests include working with women, trauma, perinatal mental health and immigrants. I love helping people learn, especially introducing experiential approaches and seeing therapists make those tools their own.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, beach days, walks, knitting and crocheting, and time with my family.
What supervision with me looks like?
My approach is warm, collaborative, and gently challenging. I want you to feel comfortable sharing uncertainty, asking questions, and reflecting honestly on your work.
You might bring a case where you feel stuck or uneasy. Together, we’ll explore what’s happening, consider different perspectives, and identify practical options for moving forward. I’ll share ideas and techniques drawn from my experience, while supporting you in developing your own clinical judgment and way of working.
Our conversations can help you:
Develop your clinical skills and confidence.
Think creatively when your usual approach isn’t helping a client move forward.
Feel more comfortable asking difficult questions and offering gentle challenge.
Navigate the emotional demands of being a therapist.
I believe there’s room for both warmth and challenge in therapy, and in supervision. If asking a difficult question or gently naming a pattern feels uncomfortable, we can explore that together and find ways to approach it with care.
My Clinical Approach
My work is integrative, with a foundation in Gestalt therapy.
I also draw on mindfulness, self-compassion, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), hypnosis, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
These approaches inform the questions, perspectives, and possibilities I bring to supervision. We’ll consider what fits the client, the therapeutic relationship, and your training and experience.
Finding the Right Fit
Choosing a supervisor is a personal and professional decision. It helps to find someone whose experience and approach align with what you want to develop.
My experience is strongest in individual adult therapy. I have less experience working with or supervising work with children, teens, couples, and families. I’m also generally not the best fit for therapists specifically seeking to deepen their knowledge or practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
An initial consultation gives us a chance to talk about your practice, where you’d like support, and what you’re looking for in supervision. You’re welcome to bring questions as we explore whether we’d work well together.