Rachel Gaster
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a qualified humanistic integrative psychotherapist and a trained supervisor. I have been working in private practice since 1996.
I decided to become a psychotherapist after several years of personal psychotherapy, Through this therapy I experienced a profound change in how I related to myself and to the world. This motivated me to learn how I might give others the time and space to discover a deeper, kinder sense of themselves as well as more satisfying relationships.
At present I only offer face to face sessions in Llanidloes. I offer online sessions for those who cannot travel that far.
How I Work:
I have integrated many approaches but would always be led by what works for you. I offer a talking therapy but within that may, if appropriate, also use drawing and other creative methods, as well as guided meditation and imagery work. Sessions are for one hour.
I have worked with many people of different ages, nationalities and faiths. They have brought a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, sadness, problems with relationship, deep trauma, grief and anger. I have found that ultimately it is the security and safety of the therapist/client relationship that is key to enabling healing and growth.
How Long:
Therapy can last for anything from a few weeks to several years. There is no rule about this; it depends on what is right for you. Some people like to have a limited number of sessions and then a review and some people like open ended therapy with the possibility of reviewing when needed.
The First Session:
Our first meeting is where we have the chance to see how we feel with each other and to check whether I am the right practitioner for you. If not, I will try to suggest someone more suitable.
During the first session we can take the time for you to tell me what has brought you to look for help. I will ask questions to try and get as full a picture as possible. You may also have questions you want to ask me.
We would then look at practicalities such as when and how often you would have sessions. If we decide to go forward we would look at my usual therapy contract and decide together if anything needs amending.
Occasionally it can take more than one session for us both to reach a decision. This is something we can discuss in our first meeting if it seems relevant.
The initial session is charged at my usual rate of £55
My Practice:
I have a safe and practice room in Llanidloes and I offer online sessions to people who can't make the journey to Llanidloes.
Training, qualifications & experience
1992-1996 Amsterdam Institute of Psychosynthesis (now the Dutch Institute for Psychosynthesis)
Psychosynthesis is a transpersonal approach that sees people as a whole; body, mind, feelings and spirit. The aim is to encourage living, sustaining connections between these aspects of oneself as well as between oneself and others and oneself and the world. This is my core philosophy and stance as a therapist.
2005-2010 Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling
This training gave me a solid working knowledge of many psychotherapeutic approaches especially those concerned with how our life experiences form us and determine how we relate to ourselves and others.
Through this I have gained a ‘tool box' of different methods that I can use to help people along the path to resolving their difficulties.
Since 1991 I have followed a wide variety of self-development and professional development trainings (including Gestalt, Jungian and Existential approaches and many trainings on working with trauma) and I continue to do this as an important way of enriching my work.
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and I adhere to the BACP ethical code. I have regular supervision to ensure that my work remains relevant and ethical.
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
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
Sessions are for one hour. I have a limited number of concessionary places.
When I work
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning | |||||||
Afternoon | |||||||
Evening | |||||||
Night |
I no longer do face to face work in Aberystwyth but can offer online sessions. I am also available for in person sessions in Llanidloes