Rachel

Therapist Directory Listing Category: Psychotherapists and Counsellors

About the Therapist

About the therapist:

I will offer you a compassionate and non-judgemental holding space where I hope you may feel safe enough to explore what's going on for you and gain a deeper perspective of your situation.

My approach to counselling is relational. The foundation of any work we do together will be based on me developing a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship with you where you may feel safe enough to explore what's going on.

I have a warm, calm, non-judgemental and open-minded approach to my work. I will hold space for you to explore difficult or distressing thoughts or feelings but I also recognise the importance of humour in therapy.

I'm a trauma-informed practitioner, which means working collaboratively with you in a way that establishes safety and builds trust. I understand the potential impact of trauma on a person's mental, emotional and physical health and I work in a way that is mindful of potential triggers and avoids re-traumatisation.

I am a BACP registered Counsellor and I follow the BACP ethical values and principles for counselling professionals.

My counselling training was humanistic and integrative. In practice, this means working with with the whole of you and what you bring to the sessions, whilst prioritising your needs and safety. We may look at how your childhood experiences influence your thoughts and behaviours today. I'll use various counselling theories, depending on what feels appropriate for your specific needs.

If you are interested in how we might work together, please see my website for more information about me and my specific areas of skills and interest. I offer a free intro call to all new clients so please feel free to get in contact with me.

Sexual identity:

Lesbian
Queer

Gender identity: Female

Gender history: As assigned at birth

Non-monogamy: No

Intersex: No

Neurodivergent: No

Personal pronouns: She / Her

Qualifications - Links to websites:

FdSc in Counselling, MSc in Psychology

BACP Registered Member - 377001

www.rachelsharpcounselling.com

Qualifications - Additional:

Award	Awarding body	Year of award

Experience and approach:

I've worked in the third sector for over 15 years. During this time, I've held a wide variety of different roles from mentoring young people experiencing homelessness, to supporting refugees with their integration into UK life. I understand the challenges of working in the third sector and have worked with clients experiencing work stress, burnout and vicarious trauma.

I previously volunteered for an LGBTQIA+ counselling service and I have several years experience in private practice working with clients coming out as LGBTQIA+, social and medical transition and internalised homophobia/ queerphobia. I recently completed my masters degree specialising in LGBTQIA+ experiences of sexual violence.

I worked for several years in a counselling service for people who have experienced sexual violence, ensuring survivors of sexual trauma had space to safely explore what happened to them by utilising trauma-informed principles.

I also have extensive experience working with refugee and migrant communities. I aim to work within the diversity of our differing identities and lived experiences. I am also committed to anti-oppressive practice through acknowledgement of structural and systemic inequalities in society.

I am experienced in working with young people aged 18-25 on a range of issues such as housing and homelessness, employment and education. I have also worked for a young people's counselling service working with together with young people experiencing anxiety, depression, identity and sexuality. I have worked with young people struggling with exam/ coursework pressure at school, college and university, as well as difficulties transitioning to university life, and managing life after university.

I have experience working with neurodivergent clients and as such I can easily adapt my practice to meet your individual needs. I have worked with clients who suspect they are neurodivergent, as well as clients who are coming to terms with a recent diagnosis or a diagnosis in later life. Your experience of counselling is important to me and I'm happy to have a chat about your specific access needs.

Approaches:

Compassion-focused therapy
Existential
Humanistic
Integrative
Person-Centred
Relational
Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Transactional Analysis

Marginalised groups:

Ace | Asexual
Bi- | Pansexual
Consensual non-monogamy
Gay
Intersex
Lesbian
Neurodivergent
Non-binary | Genderqueer
Queer
Questioning
Trans

Relationship styles:

One to one

Access:

Partially wheelchair-adapted

Age ranges:

Adults
Seniors (60+)
Young adults (16-24)
Young people (<16)

Online status:

Online
In Person

My fees for a 50-minute in-person and online counselling session are £60.

I also want my practice to be as accessible and inclusive as possible, so I'm happy to discuss discounted rates for online sessions, students, trainee counsellors or those on a low income/benefits. Feel free to just ask me.

I offer a free 20-minute intro call to all new clients so you get a chance to ask me any questions and so you can get a feel for what it would be like to work with me.

34b Stanley Road, Bristol, City of Bristol BS6 6PF, United Kingdom

Email: r.sharpcounselling@gmail.com

Website:

https://www.rachelsharpcounselling.com