for individuals and couples
Welcome!
Let me introduce myself...
My name is Rachel and I would describe myself as warm, caring and genuine. I believe that everyone deserves, and needs, human connection within a relationship where they can experience empathy and not feel judged. This is where counselling can be hugely beneficial.
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I am a humanistic and integrative counsellor. This allows me focus on what feels most important to you and I use a variety of approaches to allow you to get to the heart of what you want and need from your sessions with me. I believe that my relational approach will ensure that we can gently explore what is happening in your life and what has brought you to counselling. ​
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I work in an inclusive way by taking time to explore and welcoming your unique experience. I provide a safe and welcoming space where we can build trust to enable you to re-establish connection to yourself and in your relationships with others.
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Why choose counselling?
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For individuals...
People reach out for counselling for a myriad of reasons. Perhaps you are feeling anxious, depressed or lonely. You may be suffering a loss, illness, feel stuck or helpless, and unable to find a way out. Sometimes, something just feels wrong, even if you are unable to quite put your finger on it. Whatever is happening in your life counselling can be helpful in providing the space, time and support to work things through. In addition, I can also help you begin to process the complex feelings and losses connected to miscarriage or infant loss, infertility, rainbow pregnancies, as well as adoption or adoptive/foster/kinship parenting.​ My role as your counsellor is to support you in finding a way through these, or any other, difficult or painful experiences.
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At the heart of Acorns Counselling is my belief in you and your inherent strength, resources and potential. When life feels hard it is natural to lose belief in yourself and feel alone. There is no shame in reaching out for help, and indeed this can take great courage. Finding someone who understands can be the first step towards healing. My role is not about giving advice or answers but I can share my counselling knowledge and experience such that you can consider a greater choice of options. However, sometimes it simply helps to have someone alongside you to validate how impossible everything can feel.
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For couples...
​Couples come to therapy for a wide variety of reasons. You may be experiencing conflict, feeling distant from one another, or simply notice that your relationship has changed in a way that no longer feels satisfying. Alternatively, you may be navigating something challenging which affects you both, such as, but not limited to, pregnancy or adoptive parenting, bereavement, infertility or miscarriage.
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My focus, as your couples counsellor, is on the relationship between you, and how I can best support you both, whether your plan is to remain in relationship or to separate. It can be daunting to share the intimate details of your relationship but my role is to enable you to find your own way of communicating, that works for you as a couple. I am not there to judge or to be a relationship expert but simply to help you explore and find what works for you both.
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The practical aspects of counselling...
For individual counselling my fees are £50 per session, and for the first session only this is payable in advance. Subsequent sessions are on a pay as you go basis. I offer an initial free 15 minute phone discussion before arranging the first session (see below). I offer in-person, online, or combined online and in-person work. Counselling can be short-term or open-ended depending on your preference as everyone is different in how long they need to settle into our relationship and feel comfortable to fully explore their story with me. Clients also vary in how long they continue with counselling and I am very collaborative in how we decide this together. You are welcome to continue in counselling for as long as you would like, this can range from a few sessions to many years.
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For couples counselling my fees are £75 per session and these take place in-person only. I offer an initial introductory session (at a reduced rate of £40) which is payable in advance of attending. Within this session we will discuss your hopes for counselling and it gives you both an opportunity to experience how it feels to work with me. I appreciate it can feel very daunting to share the intimate details of your relationship, but equally it can be really beneficial to invest yourselves together in this way. There is no minimum commitment and you are also welcome to continue in counselling for as long as you would like.
My in-person work takes place in Wiltshire at both The Therapy Rooms in Chippenham and Autonomy Counselling Rooms in Devizes.
Sessions for individuals and for couples last for 50 minutes and take place weekly.
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I am not currently able to offer counselling to anyone under the age of 18 years old.
Next steps...
If you would like to find out more then you are welcome to get in contact with me using the form below, or via phone/text or email. I aim to respond to all enquiries within the next few working days.
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For individuals, I will arrange a time for a free 15 minute phone conversation to discuss your needs and determine if I am best placed to become your counsellor. This also gives you an opportunity to experience how it feels to talk with me and decide if you want to go ahead with counselling.
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For couples, the decision making process takes place following an initial (reduced price) introductory session with both of you, as outlined above. There is no pressure to make a decision within this session and I will invite you to discuss this between you before contacting me to commit to regular weekly sessions.
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I work weekday daytimes or evenings so it is worthwhile considering in advance what might fit best with your usual routine.
My Qualifications and Experience...
I hold a Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling from Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling (BCPC).
I am currently undergoing additional training in working with couples at The Centre for Relational Couples Therapy.
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I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and as such I work according to their ethical framework. This includes ensuring that your confidentiality is my top priority and a commitment to my own ongoing professional development.
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I have been in private practice since January 2024 and hold full professional liability insurance. My Acorns Counselling Practice is GDPR compliant.
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I also have previous experience as a voluntary counsellor, from 2021-2024 with Olive Branch Counselling in Chippenham, and from 2023-2025 with Help Counselling Services Ltd. in Trowbridge and Chippenham.
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​My additional trainings include:
Foundation Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy - BCPC Jul. 2021
BACP Training in working with Adoptive Clients - Dec. 2024
Foundation for Infant Loss Training: Infant and Pregnancy Loss Practitioner, Rainbow Baby Specialist and Infertility Specialist - Jan. 2025
Email: Rachel.Acornscounselling@gmail.com Phone/Text: 07470455358
