Rachel Burrows

I provide counselling for adults, in-person, online by Zoom or a hybrid of both.
Locations are in Hampshire at Winchester SO23 0LD, 5 minutes from junction 9 M3

& Hook/Odiham RG29 1NE 5 minutes from junction 5 M3

My pronouns are she/her and I welcome knowing yours. 

Trauma trained/informed

LGBTQ+ & GRSD positive

Neurodiverse positive 

I offer a non-judgemental space for you to be heard, where you can feel safe and connected; where you can explore your experiences and issues, your situation, difficulties and sense of yourself, so that you may reduce your distress, grow in self-awareness and are empowered to move towards change or acceptance.

The need to share and connect through our experiences and life story is human nature; I can listen to what it is you need to share, to hear the thoughts and feelings that are troubling you. It may be that your anxiety feels higher at this time, that you are feeling overwhelmed and finding it hard to cope with life. Maybe you have experienced loss and life feels so different and difficult; it may be that you want to make sense of yourself, of your relationships, to feel less distress and relieve anxiety. Whatever life is like for you, I can listen and together we can understand what you need from therapy and that becomes our focus. Your individuality and particular issues are held in the space, that is for you to bring and express in a way, and at a pace, that feels right for you. All of you is welcome, I believe every person is beautiful in the light of their own meaning. Please read further down about how counselling can help.

I recognise that choosing a counsellor isn’t easy and maybe you have previous therapy experiences that are steering you, or maybe this is the first time, the first step you are taking to find a therapist, the first time thinking about what you would want in a counsellor. Connecting with what you need and want, as you take this step, is not necessarily easy either. If I am the first or if I am in a line of counsellors that you have contacted, please take hope that you are moving towards meeting your needs and keep going in your search. I offer a space for you to share and think about your needs, to think together about what felt helpful and unhelpful from any previous experiences of therapy, or from what you know about counselling. This may help you in finding meaningful connection and the right support for you now.

In recognition of the importance of commitment to the therapeutic process, I offer an initial session to explore what it is you want from counselling, our availability and any questions you may have about counselling sessions. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and to share and think together about fears, hopes and expectations you may have about the counselling process and any previous experiences of counselling you may have had that help decide if we are suitable match for your needs.

To help this process, some information about your experiences, significant life events, past and present relationships, and how you are day to day, can be supportive to understanding what life is like for you and what you may need from counselling. You only need to share what you feel safe and are comfortable to share. There is no expectation to go to deeply into your issues at this point, we would work together to build trust and safety in our relationship to help enable this in sessions going forward.

Whilst it is hoped that we will be able to proceed to work together, there may be a number of reasons why we decide that this is not possible and as such there is no obligation or expectation that sessions will continue after an initial session.

If we do agree to proceed and arrange a time, I will hold the session space each week for you, for as long as we agree and you choose to attend. This day and time will not be offered to anyone else, nor will any other counsellor stand in for me.

Please contact me by email RBurrows@protonmail.com or text 07927 016754 to arrange for a telephone call that will help us decide if we might be a good fit.

How can counselling help?

Much of what hurts us in life, happens in relationships with others and often with those that we needed to trust the most. The therapeutic relationship can offer a way to experience trust and help with feeling safe and connected.  In the safety and connection of the counselling relationship, you may begin to make sense of experiences in relationships and provide understanding of your needs in relationships. The therapeutic relationship can be a way to begin to heal from the hurt.

For some, counselling can be about a space to understand and know themselves at a deeper level, that is otherwise hard to connect with in daily life. It can feel helpful to explore identity, experiences, desires or life purpose in the non-judgemental therapeutic relationship.

Counselling is a way of exploring what feeling sad, angry, isolated, vulnerable, happy, safe or coping is like for you.  Anxiety, fear, distress, and pain can be alleviated when you feel safe enough to explore shame, guilt, anger and associated feelings, without judgement or rejection in the relationship. Being together in what you are experiencing and receiving acceptance in the therapeutic relationship can make the changes you want seem possible.

Exploring thoughts and feelings, within the trust of our therapeutic relationship, can help you to find your own inner wisdom and new ways to cope with difficulties.

Trauma counselling offers a focus around unresolved trauma and associated symptoms and distress. Together we can consider what it is that you may be experiencing, how you may be continuing to feel unsafe, unable to remain present and connected within yourself, to the world and those around you. We begin with working to understand and recognise your symptoms of trauma, the meaning of body sensations, intrusive memories and thoughts. Building and maintaining an inner sense of safety, an increase in internal connection and control may be possible.  This is paced work, that takes time and is centred around safety and stabilisation of life in the here and now, before any processing of the trauma can be possible.

Trauma Counselling

Weekly 50 minute sessions are £50

Fortnightly 75 minute sessions are £75 available on a fortnightly arrangement 

Online and in-person sessions are the same fee