- Empathic listener
- Practical pacing
- Client-led work
About Rachel
Rachel Smitheman is a person-centred counsellor who qualified in the United Kingdom in 2020 and holds BACP registration. She has five years of practice supporting people with anxiety, low mood and challenges to self-esteem. Rachel uses a calm and respectful manner and aims to make sessions feel manageable for someone worried about taking the first step.
Her style is warm and straightforward. She listens without judgement and helps clients put words to what they are feeling. Conversations focus on what matters to the person in front of her, not on fitting problems into rigid categories. Rachel names panic and anxiety among the concerns she helps people navigate, alongside stress and life transitions.
Rachel works with things like relationship strain, coping with change, and feelings of isolation or guilt. She also supports people dealing with body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and difficulties with control or impulsivity. Sessions are an opportunity to look at patterns and try small changes that might feel more doable day to day.
Her approach is rooted in Client-Centred Therapy, which means she follows the person’s own pace and priorities. She aims to offer empathy and truthful reflection so clients can better understand themselves and choose what to try next. Rachel welcomes people who want a collaborative, grounded space to make sense of their concerns.
If someone is thinking about starting, Rachel asks them to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule according to her availability. The process is presented simply so people can take the next step when they feel ready.
How client-centred work translates to online therapy
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person in front of the counsellor, offering empathy, acceptance and gentle reflection. In practice the counsellor listens closely, mirrors back what they hear and helps the person explore their own priorities. This approach is often useful for anxiety, panic-related worries and low mood because it helps people feel understood before trying changes.Because Rachel works in a client-led way, she will collaborate with each person to find the best therapeutic route. That means talking together about goals, trying different ways of working, and adjusting the pace to match the person's needs and comfort. The choice of techniques and the session rhythm are agreed with the client rather than imposed.
Practical benefits of online work include fitting counselling around daily life and reducing travel time. Online sessions can make it easier to attend during a work break, care routine or when mobility is limited. The profile does not list specific session formats, so please confirm the current options before booking to ensure they suit your schedule and communication preferences.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
Rachel helps people with stress, anxiety and depression, and supports issues around relationships, self-esteem and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She follows a person-centred approach, listening without judgement and reflecting back what she hears to help clients make sense of things.
What is her professional background?
Rachel qualified as a person-centred counsellor in the UK in 2020 and has five years of professional experience.
Where is she based and how is she registered?
She is based in the United Kingdom and is registered with the BACP as noted in her credentials.
Can I work with her if I live outside the UK?
Sessions are offered to international clients as well as people in the UK, and are conducted in English.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm the current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed in the profile information.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with Rachel?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.