Rachel Lucas (MSc, UKCP, MBACP) Counselling & Psychotherapy in Bristol

I am a fully qualified Psychotherapist and Counsellor with an MSc and PG Dip. in Person-centred Psychotherapy and Counselling.
I am accredited by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and a Member of the BACP Register for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP) and the Sherwood Psychotherapy Institute (SPTI). I practice according to the professional ethics of these organisations. This means for example; my work is appropriately supervised and my professional status can be verified.

After working in the design field for many years, I decided to re-train as a Psychotherapist and Counsellor, influenced by my own positive experiences of counselling during a challenging time in my life. I have been working with both male and female clients since 2011, providing both open-ended and short term contracts, across a variety of contexts:

• Care First EAP service
• University of Bristol Counselling Service
• Affordable Talk, Bristol
• 'Counselling Xtra' in Nottingham
• Women's Aid referral
• as part of an NHS Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• the Family Intervention Project (FIP)
• Mind, Nottinghamshire
• Nottingham Trent University Counselling Service.
  
  I am experienced in working with a variety of difficulties including: depression, anxiety, domestic violence, sexual abuse, response to trauma, loss and bereavement, relationship difficulties, disordered eating and substance abuse.
  
  I worked for the Student Counselling Service at Bristol University for over 3 years and currently work for Affordable Talk in Bristol, and Care First EAP services, alongside my private practice work.

I firmly believe we all have the potential for growth and that within a safe, therapeutic environment, we can find our way through whatever difficulties are being experienced. My role as a practitioner is to offer a non-judgmental place in which the client can be fully heard and supported; respected as an individual with the right to make choices for themselves. Working collaboratively with my clients, to help them find solutions which are right for them, is integral to my approach.

I am able to offer both short contracts; with a solution focussed approach and more open-ended work; for those who require longer term support and an opportunity to work through deep rooted difficulties. During an initial session I establish with my clients what feels the best fit for them and what they would like to gain from counselling. Throughout our work together, the ongoing and potentially changing needs of the client are my priority.