Rachael Sharrad
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
I help children and adolescents to make sense of their world and how they experience it; supporting them to feel happier, and more able to enjoy their day-to-day activities at home and school and fulfill their potential.
I am an integrative child and adolescent psychotherapist, working with both children and adults. Integrative means that sessions are tailored to each person, often using play or creative methods. During a session, young children do not always talk directly about difficult things, but instead communicate through play. Understanding their play allows me to meet them where they are, getting to know their world.
Sometimes as parents, support is needed to connect with our children so I also offer reflective parenting sessions. Here your challenges and difficulties can be discussed in a confidential space so that you can learn to understand, connect, and enjoy your children more fully.
If you are having trouble connecting with your young child (7 and under) then parent and child sessions can be useful as you learn what they are trying to communicate that sometimes gets lost in everyday life.
I enjoy working with adults, as my knowledge and experience of child development helps to unpick problems that have developed from childhood and impact how you engage in life today. This can be in my therapy room or taken outside, walking and talking on the beach or in the woods.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am currently full registered member of UKCP and BACP.
- M.A. in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (2022), Terapia, London.
- ILM Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring (2019), Institute for Leadership and Management.
- Postgraduate Certificate in SEND Coordination (2015), Canterbury Christchurch University (CCU).
- Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (2013), PTUK, CCU.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (2001), CCU.
- B.Mus (Hons). Degree in Music (1990) University College of North Wales, Bangor.
Current work:
- Private Practice with children and adults since 2021.
- School counsellor in local primary school.
Past experience:
- Teacher / Senco and then head teacher for 30 years.
- Worked in a therapeutic community with children in care.
- Therapeutic foster carer.
- Play therapist/school counsellor in both primary and secondary schools.
- Bereavement counselling with a local hospice.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
When I work
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Further information
I work in person from two different locations in Whitstable and also offer telephone or online sessions when needed.
