ABOUT ME
Rachel (she / her) - Counsellor
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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, and most recently managing a counselling service for survivors of sexual violence. I understand the challenges of working in the third sector and have worked with clients experiencing work stress, burnout and vicarious trauma.
Throughout my professional and voluntary career, I have dedicated my time to promoting people's rights, advocating for social justice, and supporting marginalised groups in society.
​My road to becoming a Counsellor was driven by my own personal experiences of accessing counselling during difficult times in my life. Having lived experience helps me to understand some of the issues you may want to talk about, which supports us to connect on a deeper, relational level.
What is it like to work with me?​
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I am a BACP registered Counsellor which means I follow the ethical values and principles for counselling professionals.
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I will offer you a space where I hope you may feel safe enough to explore what's going on for you. ​I have a warm, calm, non-judgemental and open-minded approach to my work with all clients.​
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I will hold space for you to explore difficult or distressing thoughts or feelings but I also recognise the importance of humour in therapy.​
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​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.​
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My approach to counselling is relational. Therefore, 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.
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My counselling training was humanistic and integrative. In practice, this means working with with 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.
My Experience​
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Trauma
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.
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Diversity
​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.
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Young People
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 to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, difficult transitions, identity and sexuality.
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LGBTQIA+
As a Queer Counsellor and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, my counselling practice is always LGBTQIA+ affirmative. ​I hold a positive view of all LGBTQIA+ identities. 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, internalised homophobia/ queerphobia, and experience of sexual violence as an LGBTQIA+ person.
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Neurodivergence​​​​​​​​​​​​
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 around your specific access needs.​​
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Fees
Availability
Intro Call
My fees for a 50-minute in person counselling session are £60.
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I also want my practice to be as accessible and inclusive as possible, so I have a limited number of low fee counselling sessions for students, trainee counsellors or those on a low income/benefits. Feel free to just ask me and please don't let finances be a barrier to accessing support.​
​​​​​I offer in-person sessions from the Redland Practice on:​​​​​​​
Wednesdays 3:30pm - 8:00pm
Thursdays 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Fridays 8:00am - 3:00pm ​
I also offer online sessions and some fortnightly sessions. ​​
I offer a free 20 minute intro phone call to all potential clients.
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​The purpose of an intro call is so:
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you can tell me a bit more about your current situation
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we can talk through what your needs are and what you want from counselling
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you can ask me any questions you might have
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I can tell you a bit more about me and the practical details of how I work
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we can chat about how we might work together
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also so you get a better sense of me and whether I'm the right fit for you
What I can offer you
​​I offer an initial counselling session where we will discuss what you would like to explore in counselling, we might also look at any goals you have.
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I offer short-term counselling (6-12 sessions) for clients who have a particular concern they want to focus on.
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I also offer longer-term psychotherapy (12 sessions+) for clients who want a deeper exploration of self, or their situation.
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I incorporate regular reviews into any work we do together to ensure that we are working collaboratively and that we are meeting your needs.
CONTACT ME
If you are interested in working together or want some more information then please feel free to send me an email.
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Email: r.sharpcounselling@gmail.com
FURTHER READING
​Here are some TED talks, books or websites that you may find useful:
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Brené Brown - The Power of Vulnerability
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Mathew Walker - Sleep is your Superpower
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The ultimate LGBTQIA+ Pride Book list
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Bessel van der Kolk - The Body Keeps the Score
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TranzWiki - a comprehensive directory of non-commercial groups and organisations supporting or assisting trans and gender diverse individuals, their families and friends across the UK.
WHERE TO GET MORE HELP AND SUPPORT
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Bristol Mind - Mind provide a list of counselling services available in Bristol​​
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Bristol Crisis Service - If you experiencing a severe mental health crisis you can use this website
or call 0117 354 7257 or in an emergency 0300 555 0334
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Counselling Directory - where you can find many other counsellors
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Psychology Today - another useful website for finding counsellors
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Talk to the Rainbow - a website for LGBTQ+ therapists working in Bristol
BAATN - a directory of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean Counsellors and Psychotherapists working in the UK
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MCAPN - Muslim Counsellor and Psychotherapist Network
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