R.A Counselling| Swansea
I offer a range of therapeutic approaches designed to support your journey towards mental clarity and emotional balance.
About me
Hi, I'm Rachel. I'm an integrative counsellor, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches and adapt the way we work together to suit you, your experiences and what you want from counselling.
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At the heart of my approach is person-centred therapy. I believe that feeling comfortable, understood and accepted is an important part of the counselling process, and I aim to offer a space where you can talk openly about what's going on for you without feeling judged or pressured.
Where appropriate, I may draw on CBT techniques to help you recognise unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical ways of coping. I can also work more psychotherapeutically, exploring how past experiences and relationships may continue to influence how you think, feel and respond in the present.
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I have a particular interest in anxiety and understand how consuming it can feel. Having experienced periods of severe anxiety myself, I know how it can sometimes feel like you're simply getting through each day rather than really living it. I've also experienced counselling from the other side, so I understand how valuable it can be to have a space where you feel truly heard and where your feelings are understood and validated.
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Whether you're experiencing anxiety, loneliness, low self-confidence, relationship difficulties or stress, or perhaps you feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from yourself or unable to switch off, counselling can give you the opportunity to pause and make sense of what you're experiencing.
You don't need to know exactly what to say or where to begin. We can start with where you are, at your own pace, and explore together what might help.
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Outside of counselling, I enjoy walking, bouldering and exploring new places. I'm also the proud owner of two very mischievous ferrets!
Qualifications and Experience
I hold a Level 5 Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and am a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
I’m fully insured and DBS checked, and I bring over four years of experience across a range of mental health services, including MIND, New Pathways and Samaritans.
Through this work, I’ve supported people from diverse backgrounds who have faced a wide variety of mental health challenges.
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I also bring over 10 years of professional experience in education, which has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively and build supportive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds and at different stages of life.
 I undertake regular professional supervision to reflect on my practice, ensure I am working safely and ethically, and continually develop my work so that I can provide you with the best possible support.
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From my own experience of being in therapy, I understand how valuable it can be to have a space where your feelings are truly heard and validated.
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Reaching out
If anything you've read here resonates with you, feel free to get in touch.
I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step, particularly if you've never spoken to someone in this way before. You don't need to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say.
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We can arrange a free 15-minute consultation to talk things through, ask any questions you may have and see whether counselling feels like the right fit for you. There's no pressure or expectation to commit to anything.