About me
Why not take advantage of my free 20 minute informal session to get a feel for me and how I work? I work online but also see clients in my home office.
Are you struggling to manage feeling overwhelmed? Have you recently been diagnosed with autism, audhd or adhd. Perhaps you suspect you may be neurodiverse and would like some clarity regarding this?
'I don't feel as though I fit in',
'I've always felt different',
'Maybe I'm just too sensitive' and
'I'm tired of masking'
These can be some of the common thoughts and feelings experienced by those of us who live with autism and adhd. With lived experience of late diagnosis of autism as well as my professional training and experience I can support you to better understand yourself. My name is Rachel Raynor and I have been a practising counsellor and psychotherapist for over 17 years. I am committed to providing counselling and psychotherapy in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment. As well as talking therapy I offer specialist techniques including breath work and mindfulness.
I work with individual adults and relationships (both intimate as well as others like family members, colleagues) on an open-ended basis or for an agreed time period, with the aim of enabling you to enhance your life and to live it more fully.
I offer support as a postgraduate qualified counsellor and psychotherapist in the village of Tong, near Stornoway, Lewis in the Western Isles, both in person as well as offering UK wide online counselling and therapy. I am happy to offer home visits if the distance is appropriate.
I am experienced in helping clients with:
- Long-term or chronic health issues
- Trauma - both PTSD and childhood
- Anxiety
- Female-specific issues
- Neurodivergence
- General self-care
- Depression
- Addiction
Inclusive practice is important to me and am very happy to accommodate different needs - just get in touch to discuss further
I offer a free 20 minute informal chat to see if, firstly, counselling is for you and secondly, whether I am the right fit (if not I can make some suggestions as to where else you can find the right support for yourself).
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a neurodivergent therapist with a focus on autism and adhd
Professional Qualifications
- Post-graduate diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy
- MA in Integrative Psychotherapy
- Certified EFT Practitioner
- Certified Somatic-based Clinical Trauma Specialist
- Certified Couples and Relationships therapist
I originally studied Social Work and graduated from Nottingham University with a BA(Hons) in 2003. Following a couple of years working for the National Probation Service helping to rehabilitate people with substance misuse issues I realised that to really support people in making positive changes I needed to be able to provide therapeutic interventions that enabled them to address underlying issues. This led me to study at the postgraduate level at the University of Birmingham with the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute and I graduated in 2010 with a MA in Integrative Psychotherapy.
Since then I have gained extensive experience working as an addictions counsellor within the NHS for a community mental health team where I supported patients with issues ranging from self harm, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression as well as alcohol and drug problems.
Now working in private practice I continue with my professional development and have recently undertaken intensive training in trauma and related areas such as EFT.
Areas of Specialism
Apart from my work in the public sector, I also have extensive experience working with people with chronic health issues, particularly post-viral fatigue, M.E and fibromyalgia; living with conditions such as these can be a huge adjustment and counselling can help you move towards acceptance of a new way of living. No long-term change in your health comes without some kind of loss either so being able to access a safe space to talk this through can help enormously and I aim to offer this alongside interventions like guided meditation and mindfulness.
Many mental health issues can relate to trauma; whether this is developmental and chronic or due to a one-off intense experience. Support in resolving trauma, neutralising symptoms like flashbacks and developing safety protocols make up a significant part of my work.
Personal Approach
I take a very adaptive approach, I am led by you and your needs. Having a background as I do means that I have experience of working with a varied client base with complex needs.
As a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, I have an ongoing commitment to cultivate personal qualities such as empathy, sincerity and respect as a matter of ethical responsibility as well as ensuring I am technically competent. I am GSRD competent and aim to provide an affirmative and inclusive practice for all of my clients.
My theoretical basis that informs my work is Integrative Psychotherapy which is a therapeutic approach focused on relationships. I believe that many psychological issues stem from our relationships either in the here and now and/or past experiences in this respect. I use our relationship as a way of identifying traumas and then promoting growth and healing within the therapeutic space.
I have experience of working online as I worked in the Highlands for a number of years and due to travel constraints, especially in winter, online was the only way to maintain consistent contact with some clients.
I identify as 'she/her' and am a straight white cis gendered woman. I am disabled and neurodivergent.
I acknowledge that I benefit from unearned privilege as a result and encourage the exploration of uncomfortable realities due to discrimination and inequality.
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
£65.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£65 per 50 minute session
Why not take advantage of my free 20 minute informal chat to get a feel for me and how I work?
Please contact me if you think you may qualify for a concession as this can be negotiated
When I work
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Further information
There is free on-site parking
