Rachel Brislane

When anxiety, worry or life’s demands become overwhelming, it can be difficult to know what you need or how to move forward.

Perhaps your mind rarely switches off. You find yourself going over things, questioning yourself or worrying about what might happen. You may be used to keeping going and looking after others, even when you feel exhausted inside. Or you may be navigating a loss or life change that has left you feeling unsettled, stuck or unsure of who you are now.

You don’t have to be at crisis point to seek counselling. Sometimes, you simply know that something doesn’t feel right and want space to understand why.

I’m Rachel, a qualified integrative counsellor offering in-person counselling in Stockport and online across the UK. I offer a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace.

How I can help

I work with people experiencing anxiety, persistent worry, stress and overwhelm, as well as those navigating grief, loss and difficult life transitions.

You might be struggling with uncertainty, feeling responsible for too much, or noticing patterns in your thoughts and relationships that you’d like to understand better. Perhaps you’ve spent a long time coping, but the ways you’ve managed in the past no longer feel enough.

I have a particular interest in supporting parents of neurodivergent children. Seeking understanding and support for a child can be emotionally demanding, yet parents can have little space to explore their own feelings and experiences. I believe parents deserve a space where they feel heard and understood, can explore their emotions without judgement, and have space for their own needs as well as their child’s.
 

My Approach

My approach draws on person-centred therapy, CBT, Transactional Analysis, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness. Together, we can explore the thoughts, patterns and expectations that may be keeping you stuck, as well as what matters most to you. Our work is shaped around your individual needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

My aim is to help you understand yourself more deeply, approach your experiences with greater compassion and find a way forward that feels more manageable and true to who you are. There’s no pressure to have everything worked out before you begin, and you don’t need to know exactly what you want to say.

A little about me

My own experience of anxiety has shaped my understanding of how difficult it can be when something that has been part of your life for a long time becomes harder to manage. I know that recognising what’s happening isn’t always straightforward, and that understanding ourselves takes time.

I also recognise that loss can take many forms, including the loss of a loved one, a familiar role or a sense of who we are. There is no right or wrong way to experience loss, and no set timeline for how we move through it. Having space to explore your experience as it is, without pressure to feel differently or be at a particular point, can be an important part of feeling heard and understood.

Taking the first step

Starting counselling can feel daunting, especially if you’re used to dealing with things yourself or aren’t sure where to begin.

We can start with what’s happening in your life right now and take things from there, at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

If you’re looking for space to make sense of what you’re experiencing, I’d welcome you getting in touch by email to arrange a free initial consultation to explore whether working together might feel right for you.