About me
Hi, I’m Rachel. Thank you for taking the time to visit my page.
Reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step. You may feel overwhelmed, unsure where to begin or unable to put what you’re experiencing into words. You don’t need to have everything worked out before contacting me—we can begin wherever you are.
I am a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, with extensive experience across the NHS and voluntary sector. I offer a warm, gentle and non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, understood and accepted without pressure or expectation.
How I can support you
You may be experiencing a particular difficulty, or perhaps you simply feel that something isn’t right. I support people with:
Anxiety, worry and feeling overwhelmed
Depression and low mood
Low confidence and self-esteem
Stress and burnout
Grief, bereavement and loss
Relationship difficulties
Trauma and painful life experiences
Loneliness or feeling disconnected
Major changes and transitions in life
Feeling lost, stuck or unlike yourself
Whatever brings you to counselling, your experiences matter. You will be given the time and space to explore them at a pace that feels manageable for you.
My approach to counselling
My practice is grounded in Carl Rogers’ Person-Centred Approach and the belief that you are the expert on your own life.
I won’t tell you what to do, judge the choices you have made or decide what is best for you. Instead, I will offer empathy, honesty and acceptance within a genuine therapeutic relationship.
Together, we can gently explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences, helping you to understand yourself more deeply, recognise your strengths and consider a way forward that feels right for you.
My experience as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner also allows me to draw upon cognitive behavioural therapy techniques where these may be helpful. This can support you in understanding how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours affect one another. However, our work will always be guided by your individual needs and preferences.
Menopause and life transitions
I have a particular interest in supporting women through menopause and other significant life transitions.
Menopause can affect emotional wellbeing, confidence, relationships, identity and the way you feel about yourself. It can be a confusing and isolating experience, particularly when those around you don’t fully understand its impact.
Having established and facilitated a menopause support group within the NHS, I have seen how powerful it can be for women to feel listened to, believed and validated during this stage of their lives.
My experience
My journey began with the Samaritans, where I spent three years supporting people experiencing emotional distress, including those affected by trauma, loss, addiction and suicidal thoughts.
Since then, I have worked within schools, refugee services, the criminal justice system, voluntary organisations and mental health services. These experiences have allowed me to support people from many different backgrounds, each with their own story and reasons for seeking help.
They have also reinforced something I feel very strongly about: sometimes we don’t need somebody to fix us or tell us what to do. We need somewhere safe enough to be ourselves and somebody who will truly listen.
Taking the first step
If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, lost or stuck—or you simply feel that you need someone to talk to—you are very welcome to contact me.
You don’t need to know exactly what to say. You can ask questions, tell me a little about what is happening for you, or simply enquire about whether counselling with me may feel right.
We can take things one step at a time, together.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am proud to share that in April 2012, I was proud to establish Therapy4U, which received the New Salford Business Award from the Salford 100 Business Venture, recognising it as one of the most innovative new business ideas in Salford.
In addition to my clinical work, I have co-authored an article for The Telegraph on the topic of controlling behaviour, inspired by the high-profile Nigella Lawson case, an issue close to my professional values around raising awareness and understanding of abuse.
My passion for mental health and community support has also led me to fundraising efforts, including a feature in Lancashire Life for raising money in support of the Samaritans.
Qualifications and Training:
- Professional Qualifications and Training:
- Qualifications and Professional Training:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Mental Health Care
- IAPT Supervisor - providing clinical supervision within the Improving Access to
- Psychological Therapies (IAPT) framework
- Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
- ABC Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Skills to Foster - training in supporting foster carers and looked-after children
- Safeguarding & Child Protection - trained in recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns
- Mental Health First Aid - certified to offer initial support for mental health issues and crises
Additional Experience:
I have also developed and facilitated a Menopause Support Group within the NHS, offering a safe, informed, and compassionate space for individuals navigating the challenges of menopause. This initiative reflects my commitment to holistic and inclusive mental health care, tailored to different life stages and needs.
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
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Fees:
- Initial Consultation (50 minutes): £55.00
- Includes telephone or online counselling assessments.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (50 minutes)
When I work
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Further information
Flexible Fees:
- I offer flexible pricing for individuals from the NHS, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, students, older adults, and those with disabilities (with valid ID).
Payment Options:
- Payments can be made via cash, PayPal, or online bank transfer.
Services Offered:
- Private sessions in the comfort of your own home
- Home visits available
- Telephone counselling
- Online counselling
