“Courage to Heal” Counselling service.
Hello, my name is Rachael and welcome to my page. I am a fully qualified professional counsellor, and I am trained, in practice and education in Therapeutic counselling. My practice is located in Northwich, Cheshire.
I also offer couples counselling, which is in a structured and controlled environment where you can both learn to communicate and respect each other in a safe space. You can learn about what works well for you both and understand each other's ways of communicating through talking, your emotions and behaviours which will enable you to move forward in your relationship healthIy and positively. I can help you through handling disagreements, reconnecting, intimacy and love for each other. The aim is, to work together, inside and outside of sessions and needs 100% commitment from both parties for this to work effectively, in a fair and unjudgmental process
What is on offer
I am a “Person centred” counsellor. This means that you, as a client are the centre of my complete attention. You will lead the way and I will be there, right beside you on your unique journey. I will use my skills to assist you. We will use reflection, and focus down on the issues that you raise, without pressure. I have a huge amount of empathy; I am congruent and totally unjudgmental in your personal situation. Finally, I would like to add that I will speak plain English with no fancy words, I will not baffle you with science, theory or facts and figures. That is my job to translate!
Areas I can help you with
Some of the issues I can help you with include:
• Depression and Anxiety
• Low self esteem
• Grief and Loss
• Divorce and Relationships
• Domestic abuse (Male and Female)
• Rape and Sexual abuse
• Hoarding
• Workplace Bullying
• Pregnancy and Miscarriage
• Trauma
• Relationship issues
• Couples Counselling
Confidentiality
It is paramount that you as a client feels comfortable talking about your deepest feelings, thoughts and behaviours, and assurance of confidentiality is important for you to enable for you to feel comfortable and safe with me. A working agreement is drawn up between us before we start on your therapeutic journey. This is similar to a contract, which outlines what we can expect from each other. This includes confidentiality, limitations and boundaries. This will all be covered in your first session.
About Me
I feel that is best if I share a little bit about me, to enable you to feel comfortable in making your decision in sharing your journey with me. After all, we are all human and we all have the scars and blemishes that life gives to us.
Professionally, I have a BA Honours degree in Business management, and I have 3 qualifications in Person Centred counselling, including the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I am also a member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I undertake the legal requirement of supervision twice a month and I undertake continued personal development courses to keep my knowledge up to date and learn about different specialisms.
My Journey
My journey began many years ago, as far back as childhood. As I grew up into adulthood, I felt lost, not knowing who I really was or what I was worth. There have been some very dark times where I was desperate for help, but unable reach out. I have been through many difficult times throughout my life and I have learned a lot from my experiences, which has made me stronger and wiser. The psychologist Carl Rogers, who coined “Person Centred Therapy” once said that you “grow according to your environment”, and after years of self-reflection and counselling, I totally agree.
My career has varied over the years, graduating from university with my degree and going into catering and business management. I ran my own hotel for a while, before changing direction and worked as a civil servant for a few years. I went through some of the toughest times over these years. I suffered so many different losses and experienced many anguishing circumstances. All of these tested my strength and humanity.
My Breakthrough
8 years ago, at the age of 38, I encountered a really strange moment whilst I was driving my car. I had a “Lightbulb” moment! I was thinking about how “unfortunate” I had been in life and how useless I felt.
This was a moment of epiphany, and I realised that my “unfortunate” life was actually a gift because I had the ability to turn it all around and put my experience and wisdom to good use. It was then that I realised that I am destined be a counsellor.
I have a wealth of life experience, encountered many issues and a have broad understanding of emotions and behaviours. So that is what I did. I am living proof that a person can begin a new and positive journey!
Our Therapy Room
Our room, as I like to call it, is a safe, quiet, light, airy space, with big comfortable armchairs and a soft, pleasant ambience. The room is set on the ground floor, so easily accessible for disabled clients. We are in a discreet area of the building, in a corner where we will not be disturbed. Your safety and comfort are paramount, to create the relaxing atmosphere needed to help put you at ease. There are no steps to negotiate and there are toilet facilities opposite the room, which are also wheelchair accessible for my clients with physical disabilities.
Get in Touch
Find me at the office
Life Church Barnton, Blackcroft Avenue, Barnton, Cheshire CW8 4HP
Give me a call
Rachael Winnington 07845 596 232