About
Rachael is an integrative psychotherapist and has been trained in humanistic, psychodynamic and existential approaches. She has a passion for working with children and young people and offers bespoke sessions, recognising that each individual requires a unique approach. Rachael accepts individuals and their families as they are, providing support, warmth, empathy, creativity, and challenge to help them explore their needs. She has experience of working with many issues such as anxiety, self-esteem, bereavement, trauma, abuse, and school refusal as well as unexplained overwhelming feelings.
In her experience, individuals may be distressed or upset and find themselves unable to articulate their feelings. Often, behaviour and actions convey emotions, even if they are not immediately recognised. This is particularly true for children, who may lack the vocabulary or experience to comprehend what is happening to them or those around them.
Sharing experiences, difficulties, and feelings with an impartial and non-judgmental professional can assist individuals or their children in making sense of past or present events. Psychotherapy with Rachael offers an ideal environment for this, benefiting both distressed children and concerned, worried parents.
Rachael started her career in education as a teacher, rising to headteacher and SENCO. Throughout this Rachael has honed her skills in providing therapeutic support to children and adolescents in various setting, ranging from mainstream to specialist provision, fostering, residential homes and individual psychotherapy sessions. She has extensive experience working with individuals with additional needs including, ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, downs syndrome, learning difficulties, communication difficulties and trauma. Her aim is to help people to become happy and secure in who they are, understanding their strengths and how they present in the world.
She has also worked for Pilgrims Hospice providing bereavement support to adults who have lost family members. Through this she now helps to run a local annual bereavement workshop. When not working for the Priory Rachael has a local private practice and also works one day a week in schools, providing teacher training, supervision and support in special needs.
Position at Priory
Aaron has a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Psychology and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in CBT. He is registered with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). Aaron has a keen interest in conducting research and has presented at Goldsmiths, University of London and at the North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders in Pittsburgh, USA.
Aaron has worked in mental health for over 10 years in numerous settings, both within the NHS and in the private sector.
Training
Rachael commenced her training with a play therapy qualification from Play Therapy UK in 2013. In 2022, she completed a five-year training program in child and adolescent psychotherapy, thereby qualifying her to work with both adults and young people.
Languages
- English
Qualifications
- MA in child and adolescent psychotherapy, Terapia (2022)
- ILM level 7 postgraduate diploma in Coaching and Mentoring (2019)
- Postgraduate certificate in SEND coordination (2015), Canterbury Christchurch University - Canterbury
- Postgraduate certificate in therapeutic play skills (2013), Canterbury Christchurch University - Canterbury
- Postgraduate certificate in education (2001) Canterbury Christchurch University - Canterbury
- Bachelor of Music (1990) University College of North Wales, Bangor