Counselling in Topsham

I believe that life is a gift; yet, at times, it can feel quite the opposite. Sometimes, we can feel overwhelmed by our difficulties. ​Often, a trained, non-judgmental and objective ear can help order one's thoughts, challenge ingrained patterns of behaviour, and manage emotions. 

I am a very experienced psychotherapist, counsellor and supervisor based in both central Exeter and London. I provide a confidential, safe and impartial space where you can talk about difficult thoughts or emotional issues. I specialise in working with my clients to improve their quality of life and relationships. My role in offering both counselling and psychotherapy is to help you make sense of what you are experiencing, develop the skills to know and accept yourself and to make changes that are right for you.

Maybe there has been a specific event you are aware of, or maybe thoughts and feelings are overwhelming you for no known reason. Whatever the circumstances I offer a therapeutic space filled with warmth & empathy where together, we will explore the feelings, thoughts & relational patterns that have been causing you distress. I will support you to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of your past experiences & how these may impact your struggles in the present. Through a holistic mind-body approach I will help you connect with your innate ability to heal, develop skills to make change and uncover your own natural resilience.

I work ONLINE via WhatsApp, FaceTime or Zoom and in Topsham and Exeter. I have over 36 years experience working effectively in private practice as an integrative holistic healthcare practitioner and previously as a nurse in both the NHS and private healthcare specialising in women’s health. My psychotherapeutic counselling practice draws upon several humanistic, psychodynamic and solution focused approaches incorporating the very best techniques including creative ways of working to best fit your needs. I have a lot of life experience both personally and professionally. I am a good listener. I am not easily shocked.

Things may have become overwhelming, difficult to manage, or you just feel stuck and don't know how to move on. You are maybe dealing with feelings of anxiety, depression, unhappiness, loneliness, low mood , anger, sadness or loss . You may be struggling with a relationship, a stressful life event or redundancy. Perhaps you're not sure what to expect from counselling or wondering if it's the right approach for you. My approach can help you understand yourself better and explore ways to bring about positive change. I work with individuals age 18 and over: there's no upper age limit.

My work is undertaken within a spiritual framework. I am able to offer a safe place where you can be heard, thus enabling you to look at issues, feelings and emotions. I will give you the support and clarity you require to empower you to make the changes in your life you feel you’d like to make. I am able to work in a creative way this can often help when you feel that word are just not enough to express what you are feeling. I am able to work not only with the problem on top but also with any underlying problem or pattern of behavior you may wish to change.

Hello, I'm Rachael. I have a warm, down to earth approach and I can offer you my empathy, support and kindness. I want to listen and validate the difficult emotions you are experiencing. I provide a secure place, where you will be able to talk about your thoughts and feelings in confidence, without the fear of being judged. I know the thought of having counselling can be daunting, but I will help you to feel comfortable and relaxed. All my clients and their issues are extremely important to me, so there is no such thing as a client or an issue being ‘unimportant,’ or a problem being too ‘minor’. The sessions are all about you...

I am a down to earth, straight talking counsellor, with many years experience working with bereavement, loss and trauma. I offer both short term, goal focussed work as well as longer term therapy, depending on your needs. I also have a keen interest in working with young people age 12+ and have additional training and experience in working with those with an ASD presentation. I can also work with you as a parent if you are struggling with any aspects of parenthood.

Life can be complicated! Counselling can be a great way to explore anything you may be struggling with.

You are at the heart of my work. How would it feel to know that you can trust someone with your most intimate fears and anxieties, who also understands your deepest needs? Is it difficult right now for you to imagine a life that's free from the painful grip of fear & anxiety? Do you feel alone in a world full of people but no one notices your struggles? Have you become so good at painting on a smile, and maybe you are better at helping others along their journey, while underneath you feel bad about your own life. Offload your worries with a professional who can hold your troubles safely and is committed to walking alongside you.

Reaching out can be hard. Are you feeling overwhelmed? struggling to cope with your situation? your emotions? your experiences? If your trust has been damaged, talking to someone who will take time to understand you can be a huge relief. Perhaps you need support through a crisis or you are at the end of your tether with multiple stresses. Even if you have longterm issues that seem stuck, talking to someone can make a difference. You may gain insight into the roots of your difficulties and find qualities in yourself that have never had a chance to develop. The aim is to help you live a more rewarding life.

I offer affordable integrative counselling, which helps with overcoming difficulties such as low mood, anxiety, poor self-esteem, bereavement and relationship issues. You may be lacking direction in your life at the moment, it may seem meaningless or you might feel low in confidence. Perhaps you are looking to find some clarity around what's important to you and to explore how you can bring more of this into your life? Or maybe you want to improve how you feel about yourself? Or perhaps you need a warm and compassionate space where you can fully feel your grief to be able to start to move forwards in life again?

Hello. I am a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Practitioner and psychotherapist. I offer a safe, judgement-free space for children, young people and young adults (4-23 years) to discuss any difficulties they are experiencing. I also work with parents, helping them to support their child. The issues I have worked with include anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, school problems, friendship or peer difficulties, low self-esteem, bullying, family problems, loss and grief, among other difficulties. I offer Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), having previously trained and worked for NHS CAMHS.

I am an experienced counsellor, trainer and group facilitator. I work with people experiencing a range of difficulties using an integrative approach which means we work together so you can find your own ways to cope with the things that are getting you down or have kept you stuck or feeling overwhelmed. I integrate talking therapy with other useful approaches and techniques including drawing, visual imagery, using objects in a sand tray, mindfulness exercises, assertiveness skills and self-care tools.

I am am experienced BACP accredited, Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) therapist, working face to face in Exeter, and online via Zoom and Skype. I work with individuals, couples, and people in polyamorous relationships, and offer both short term and long term therapy. I cover issues like anxiety, depression, bereavement, stress, anger, and relationship problems, giving my clients the opportunity to explore their issues in a safe, non-judgmental environment, to help them achieve their goals.

I specialise in the field of unresolved grief, loss and trauma. I use EMDR to treat single or complex post traumatic stress including combat PTSD. I also have experience of supporting the emotional wellbeing of health professionals (or other professions at high risk of vicarious trauma or chronic pressures). Over the last twelve years as a humanistic integrative counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor in a busy NHS environment, I have also experienced a broad spectrum of clients' concerns and struggles.

I have worked with clients presenting a variety of issues from low self-esteem, emotional numbness, anxiety, depression, trauma and have considerable experience working with domestic violence and coercive control. Confidentiality and trust in the therapeutic relationship is an absolute priority. My role is to give you the space and opportunity to be truly listened to in a non-judgemental and empathetic way. In the end, you the client, are the expert on yourself - long lasting resolutions ultimately come from you. I will be there alongside on the path to support you develop the insights necessary to resolve your own difficulties.

Maybe the reason you are here today is because you are experiencing feelings that you would rather not continue to carry alone. My practice is called ‘Accanto’ and I have built my service around this name, which translated means ‘next to or beside,’ and quite simply that is exactly where I will be for you. I do have an A-Z of what I cover but actually this is about YOU feeling that you can bring anything you need into the safe and accepting space that I offer. Counselling is initially about feeling better about yourself, learning to love your real self so that you can then invite love and acceptance from others.