Rachel Gaster

I am in Aberystwyth on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Hi, I’m Rachel. I offer a place where we can look at what is troubling you in a safe, supportive and confidential way.

I am a qualified psychotherapist with more than 20 years’ experience.

I decided to train after several years of personal therapy where I experienced a profound change in how I related to myself and the world. This motivated me to learn how I might give others the space to discover a deeper, kinder sense of themselves as well as more satisfying relationships.

I have worked with many people of different ages, nationalities and faiths. They have brought a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, sadness, relationship problems, deep trauma, grief and anger. I have found that ultimately it is the security and safety of the therapist/client relationship that is key to enabling healing and growth.

I offer a talking therapy but within that may, if appropriate, also use drawing and other creative methods, as well as guided meditation and imagery work. In the therapy we would pay attention to past experiences and the difficulties that have brought you to seek help, but we would also start imagining a future you would like, and who you could be in that future

My core stance as a therapist is transpersonal, which means I see people as a whole; body, mind, feelings and spirit. I have a solid working knowledge of many psychotherapeutic approaches, especially those concerned with how our life experiences form us and determine how we relate to ourselves and others.

Starting therapy is a big step. An initial session is a good place to see how it feels. It is also the best place to find out if I might be the right therapist for you. If you would like to know more about how I work, or have any other questions, do phone or email me, with no obligation or charge

I am now offering face to face sessions again. I have a Covid 19 protocol that I ask people to adhere to when coming to sessions.

My practice room in Aberystwyth is safe, private and easily accessible for all.

I also offer online sessions when it is not possible to meet in person.

Our first meeting is where we have the chance to see how we feel with each other and to check whether I am the right practitioner for you. If not, I will try to suggest someone more suitable.

During the first session we can take the time for you to tell me what has brought you to look for help. I will ask questions to try and get as full a picture as possible. You may also have questions you want to ask me.

We would then look at practicalities such as when and how often you would have sessions. If we decide to go forward we would look at my usual therapy contract and decide together if anything needs amending.

Occasionally it can take more than one session for us both to reach a decision. This is something we can discuss in our first meeting if it seems relevant.

Normally I am available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10.00am to 6.30pm.

However, I do try to be as flexible as I can be in finding a time that suits you and am prepared to consider other days .

I am fully qualified and a registered member of BACP. I have been working as a humanistic integrative psychotherapist in private practice since 1996. I originally decided to train after several years of personal psychotherapy. I had experienced profound change in how I related to myself and to the world and this motivated me to learn how I might give others the time and space in which they could discover a deeper, kinder sense of themselves as well as more authentic relationships.

How I work:

I have integrated many approaches into my work but I would always be led by what fits you. I offer a talking therapy but also sometimes, if it is right for you, I might use drawing or other creative methods as well as guided meditation and imagery work.

I have worked with people of many different ages and nationalities and they have brought a large range of issues; from a general sense of sadness and anxiety to deep trauma, grief and anger. I have found that ultimately it is the security and safety of the therapist/client relationship that is key for enabling growth and healing.

How long:

Therapy can last for anything from a few weeks to several years. There is no rule about this. It is usually clear when someone is ready to stop. Some people like to start with a limited number of sessions and then a review and some people like open ended therapy with the possibility of reviewing when needed.

Training:

1992-1996 Amsterdam Institute of Psychosynthesis

2005-2010 Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling

Since 1991 I have followed a wide variety of self-development and professional development trainings (including Gestalt, Jungian approaches to dreams and stories and many trainings on working with trauma) and I continue to do this as an important way of enriching my work.

This year I hope to train in Narrative Exposure Therapy and will also start training as a supervisor.

I am now offering face to face sessions as well as sessions through Zoom and Skype.

Our first meeting is where we have the chance to see how we feel with each other and to check whether I am the right practitioner for you. If not I will try to suggest someone more suitable. The session would last for 1 hour.

I usually suggest that we take 30-40 mins for you to tell me what has brought you to look for help. I will ask questions to try and get as full a picture as possible.

We would then look at practicalities such as when, and how often you would have sessions.

If we decide to go forward we would look at my usual therapy contract and decide together if anything needs amending.

Ocassionally it can take more than one session for us both to reach a decision. This is something we can discuss in our first meeting if it seems relevant.

The initial session is charged at my usual rate of £48.