Rachel Sowden
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, I’m Rachel and I’m a BACP registered Humanistic Therapist trained in Transactional Analysis (TA). Thank you for taking the time to read my profile.
Are you looking for someone to talk to, explore your experiences, thoughts and feelings? Have you ever found yourself ruminating about the past, or fearful of the future, causing a feeling of stuckness that is impacting your present? Would you like to have a deeper understanding of self, relationships and any patterns that may be arising? I am here to help hold that space for you.
Finding the right therapist can be a daunting task, and I believe it’s so important to find someone that you feel you connect with. I am currently offering face to face (please note, my therapy room is up a flight of stairs re accessibility), online, short or long-term therapy to adults and young people (16+). I also offer walk and talk therapy (Eastleigh based). I work in a relaxed, informal way and tailor the pace and methods to your needs.
I’m also of the belief that everyone is born unique with their own individual life experiences; I respect that every person has their own story. I strive to create a safe, secure and confidential space for all my clients. I work under the premise that we’re a team and with collaboration, my role is to support you to explore and feel more empowered in your life; from disconnection to connection and inner restoration.
I find that sometimes, looking back into your past is the best way to be present and step into a more positive future.
TA is a form of Psychotherapy and a great foundation to explore relationships, both internally and with those around you. The approach is aimed to seek understanding of oneself in more depth so that when patterns do arise and road blocks get in the way, you have the understanding and tools to deal with life’s circumstances with curiosity and compassion rather than critique and negative self-talk. I also feel it’s important to incorporate work around the body, brain and nervous system as they are so deeply connected to how we think and feel when navigating our day-to-day life. It is especially important to consider this with trauma and how to work with your experience on a somatic level.
I am experienced in working with trauma, abuse of all descriptions, stress, anxiety, depression, loss and grief, chronic conditions, low self-esteem, OCD, neurodiversity, gender and identity, long term or incurable illnesses and many others.
As a fully qualified therapist, I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and therefore abide and follow their Ethical Framework and code of ethics. I receive regular supervision to keep with their requirements and to ensure I’m at my best for you.
I offer discounted rates for students, trainee counsellors, those in the emergency services and the TV and film industry, as a previous member myself. If you would like to know more or book in for an initial free 20-minute telephone call, I very much look forward to hearing from you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Foundation Degree in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis (BACP accredited course)
Certificate in Polyvagal informed practitioners
APT Level 2 Accredited in CBT Essentials
Transactional Analysis 101
SEG Awards ABC Level 2 and 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
I ensure my practice is kept up to date by attending regular continued professional development and training courses. This is a huge value as I find it enables me to further my understanding and experience in important topics and is essential in my continued development as a therapist. An example of some of the courses I have attended are include:
- Loss and bereavement
- Autism informed therapy
- Trauma, the Brain and Recovery
- Safeguarding for adults, children and young people
- Gender Identity, Diversity and Inclusion training
- Young Mental Health: helping young people with anxiety
- Domestic and sexual abuse training
- Relational needs and attachment patterns
- Polyvagal practice and techniques
- CBT Essentials
As a fully qualified therapist, I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and therefore abide and follow their Ethical Framework and code of ethics. I receive regular supervision to keep with their requirements.
Alongside my private practice, I work at the Priory Wellbeing Centre in Southampton as an Integrative Therapist, as well as a co-facilitator for group therapy in a local abuse organisation.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Relationship breakdowns/issues
- Self-esteem
- Financial abuse
- Psychological abuse
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Free initial 20 minute telephone call.
*Walk and Talk sessions are charged at £65 and subject to mobility and health after initial assessment. I can also attend home visits, pricing varies and availability subject on location.*
Concessions available:
- Students
- Trainee Counsellors
- Emergency services
- Film and TV production members
Payment is required on or 24 hours before the day of the session.
There is a minimum cancellation period of 24 hours. If the session is cancelled under 24 hours, the session will be chargeable in full.
When I work
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Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have different availability, as I may be able to accommodate.
Further information
*Home visits dependant on location of client.*
