Rachel Carey
MSc, MA, PG Dip
UKCP Accredited
BACP Accredited (MBACP)
Individual Psychotherapy
I offer Integrative Psychotherapy and work with what you bring - your relationship challenges, family matters, addictions, feelings, stress and anxiety, loss or grief, trauma, childhood struggles, low self-esteem and grappling with a desire for change and direction in your life.
About
I am an Integrative psychotherapist, holding an MSc from The Metanoia Institute. I am an clinical member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, and an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am professionally insured by Hiscox Insurance.
I have over 22 years experience of working with individuals, families and communities across the UK and abroad in health, statutory and voluntary sector settings, including central and local government and the NHS. Enabling individuals to build resilience, reach their potential and access what they need is something I feel strongly about. I have been involved through my work in managing staff, projects, providing both training and mentoring. I have worked as a counsellor and psychotherapist since 2014 carrying out clinical placements at Kinergy and Cotswold Counselling. I have worked as a staff therapist and assessor at The Gloucestershire Counselling Service, as a student counsellor at the dBs Institute in Bristol, and as an EAP therapist.
The opportunity of therapy provides a safe space in which to share and explore how we experience the world. It can also develop an understanding of our potential and choices moving forward.
Individual Counselling and Psychotherapy
Talking in confidence about what is on your mind...
- You may be feeling anxious or depressed
- Are you finding relationships or work challenging?
- Could you be feeling overwhelmed or frightened?
- You may be experiencing a loss of meaning or having distressing memories
- Are you struggling with being a parent?
- Perhaps things are feeling chaotic or confusing?
I aim to provide a safe space in which to explore what has brought you to seek therapy, to understand the influences and experiences that form who you are. I will work alongside you to find a way through difficulties and challenges, enabling you to feel a sense of connection to yourself and others that will strengthen you to move forward in your life with an awareness of your potential for growth and change.
Sometimes we can feel that putting our feelings into words is not easy. If this is your experience, I will work with you through relaxation techniques, exercises and non-threatening methods to place you at your ease and begin to find expression for feelings that are out of reach or locked away.
Approach
My approach is:
- Relational/Psychoanalytic - how we relate to ourselves and others in the here and now provides clues to understanding our past, our current blocks or struggles and our sense of self moving forward. Sometimes what emerges can feel difficult. I will engage with you wholeheartedly in this process. I offer a commitment to exploring these complexities together alongside you rather than analysing you objectively.
- Integrative - Just as there are many parts of ourselves that need attending to in seeking counselling and psychotherapy, there are several theoretical models that can add understanding to our struggles. I will be lead by what you bring, working together with you to find an understanding that feels helpful. I will use my skills, experience and knowledge to listen carefully and respond in depth.
- Contextual - Where we grow up, our home, community, education, life chances, nationality, class, faith, race, sexual orientation, identity, age, health, disabilities - all of these influence who we are and how we feel in relation to others. Power processes run deep in society and in ourselves. I work together with individuals in an anti-oppressive way to understand the internal and external power processes that we struggle with.
- Transpersonal - How do we make sense of our experience, our impact, value and meaning? It is often through addressing these questions relating to our existence that potential can be unlocked and transformation takes place. Sometimes this aspect of ourselves can be explored through symbolism, dreams or a sense of attunement to a broader collective human experience.
- Humanistic - I provide a safe, authentic, empathic space in my work. I believe that each of us holds the potential for development and change at any stage of our lives.
Qualifications
The Metanoia Institute (2014-2021)
- MSc Integrative Psychotherapy
- Clinical Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy
- Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- Foundation Certificate in Humanistic Psychotherapy and Counselling
- Listening Skills
- MA Social Anthropology
What happens at the initial appointment
The initial session is designed to give both of us an opportunity to meet and reflect on whether counselling can be of help to you.
This first appointment lasts up to 50 minutes and is charged at £55 (some reduced rates available). During the session you will have space to talk freely about what has brought you to seek counselling, your understanding of the current challenge and how it impacts upon your life and relationships at the moment. I will also ask about your goals in coming to therapy, the history and context of the problem and what you are seeking to change.
I will ask some questions relating to your current and past health, your key relationships (such as family, friends and work) and your wider support networks.
You will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I abide by strict professional ethics and standards relating to confidentiality and data protection, the therapy process and how the appointments are set up. Please do not hesitate to ask me for copies of my policies in this regard. If you decide you would like to have therapy I will send you copies of these documents as part of our therapy agreement.
Please note: all initial sessions are held online.
Appointments
You are welcome to communicate with me by phone or email for an informal discussion or to arrange an initial appointment.
I have both daytime and evening availability.
Cost: £55 per session - (a limited number of low-cost places are available, please contact me to discuss this).
This first appointment lasts up to 50 minutes and is charged at £55 (some reduced rates available). During the session you will have space to talk freely about what has brought you to seek counselling, your understanding of the current challenge and how it impacts upon your life and relationships at the moment. I will also ask about your goals in coming to therapy, the history and context of the problem and what you are seeking to change.
I will ask some questions relating to your current and past health, your key relationships (such as family, friends and work) and your wider support networks.
You will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I abide by strict professional ethics and standards relating to confidentiality and data protection, the therapy process and how the appointments are set up. Please do not hesitate to ask me for copies of my policies in this regard. If you decide you would like to have therapy I will send you copies of these documents as part of our therapy agreement.
Please note: all initial sessions are held online.
Appointments
You are welcome to communicate with me by phone or email for an informal discussion or to arrange an initial appointment.
I have both daytime and evening availability.
Cost: £55 per session - (a limited number of low-cost places are available, please contact me to discuss this).
Contact
I hold counselling and psychotherapy appointments in consulting rooms in central Stroud and Bristol. Directions will be sent to you on request.
I also offer online and telephone sessions.
If my in-person sessions are full, I would recommend having online or telephone sessions to start with, as I can then let you know when in-person sessions become available.
Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. All messages are treated confidentially.
Mob: 07972890338
Email: contact@rachelcareytherapy.com Or rachelcarey0@gmail.com
I also offer online and telephone sessions.
If my in-person sessions are full, I would recommend having online or telephone sessions to start with, as I can then let you know when in-person sessions become available.
Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. All messages are treated confidentially.
Mob: 07972890338
Email: contact@rachelcareytherapy.com Or rachelcarey0@gmail.com
Links and Recommended Reading
Links:
Gloucestershire services providing counselling for individuals, families, in schools, for businesses and couples
Gloucestershire Counselling Service
Cotswold Counselling
Listening post
Bristol has a range of low-cost counselling services available, most of which are listed under the "useful Information" section of the Bristol Mind website. Please also ask me for further information about counselling services in Bristol.
Local and national Mental Health Support:
2gether NHS Foundation Trust
Mind
The Samaritans
Books:
The following books give accessible accounts of the process of therapy:
"Loves Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy" by Irvin Yalom
"The Impossibility of Sex" by Suzy Orbach
"The Myth of the Untroubled Therapist" by Marie Adams
"Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brene Brown
"Trauma and Recovery" by Judith Herman
Gloucestershire services providing counselling for individuals, families, in schools, for businesses and couples
Gloucestershire Counselling Service
Cotswold Counselling
Listening post
Bristol has a range of low-cost counselling services available, most of which are listed under the "useful Information" section of the Bristol Mind website. Please also ask me for further information about counselling services in Bristol.
Local and national Mental Health Support:
2gether NHS Foundation Trust
Mind
The Samaritans
Books:
The following books give accessible accounts of the process of therapy:
"Loves Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy" by Irvin Yalom
"The Impossibility of Sex" by Suzy Orbach
"The Myth of the Untroubled Therapist" by Marie Adams
"Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brene Brown
"Trauma and Recovery" by Judith Herman
Coronavirus
I am offering in-person sessions in both Stroud and Bristol to clients who have received their vaccinations. My rooms have ventilation.
A small amount of information will be sent to you regarding covid considerations, if we agree to working in-person.
I am offering initial sessions by telephone or online only. This gives us an opportunity to explore whether in-person work may be an option going forward.
I continue to offer telephone and in-person sessions if clients prefer.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to coronavirus and how this impacts upon our work together, please do not hesitate to contact me.
A small amount of information will be sent to you regarding covid considerations, if we agree to working in-person.
I am offering initial sessions by telephone or online only. This gives us an opportunity to explore whether in-person work may be an option going forward.
I continue to offer telephone and in-person sessions if clients prefer.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to coronavirus and how this impacts upon our work together, please do not hesitate to contact me.