Rachel Gaskell
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This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hi, I’m Rach and I use She/They pronouns. Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge you, in finding your way here. Taking those first steps might be feeling a bit daunting, and trying to find a counsellor that you connect with can feel scary.
On being human…
Put simply, I am a human being and with that comes my own personal journey and experiences, learning and knowledge. Being human comes with its many vulnerabilities and I know those places can feel painful, frightening, upsetting, and many other feelings pulled into the mix. This and my belief in being real and genuine, are the very foundations of what I offer in counselling.
On being a counsellor…
I am a qualified Person-Centred counsellor dedicated to supporting you on your unique journey. I have a firm belief that everyone is their own expert and that sometimes we may need some support along the way so we can safely explore what is currently happening for us.
Being part of the LGBT+ community myself, I am passionate about working with LGBT+ people as well as their families. I know that being queer can require a huge amount of bravery, vulnerability and integrity and that this can sometimes contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress, fear, isolation, fatigue and more, which can amplify other issues that you’re feeling. I recognise that while working on yourself, it can come with challenges which may feel frightening, impractical or contradicting with messages from our family, friends and society.
I am committed to creating a safe and inclusive space where you can explore your experiences without fear of judgment, discrimination or assumptions. In our counselling sessions, my approach is rooted in queer-affirmative and trauma-informed therapy. I also believe in the power of art, storytelling, and other expressive mediums to facilitate healing and personal growth.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have worked within wellbeing for over six years, within places like Mind and the NHS. I am a registered Person-Centred counsellor with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), which means I adhere to their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. My practice is fully insured and strictly confidential.
My professional training includes:
- Level 4 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling
- Level 3 Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling
- Level 2 Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling
- Domestic Abuse
- Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- LGBTQIA+
- Suicide Awareness
Other work I’m involved in…
I have an understanding of the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. I also work as the LGBT+ Lead and Social Prescriber in a Primary Care Network of GP Practices. In this work, I embrace a creative and collaborative approach that challenges perceptions of ‘normal’, encourages increased staff LGBT+ awareness in healthcare through training, supporting LGBT+ patients directly and pushing boundaries with queer activism.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fee is £50 per session.
I offer concessions to student counsellors - £40 per session.
Free 20 minute introductory session
When I work
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I work in a beautiful building that is owned by a local artist. The room is a safe and private counselling space.
Further information
Where possible I will do my best to accommodate clients around their commitments.
I currently have no availability for new clients. I am operating a waiting list, please get in touch if you would like to be included.
