Rachael King

I currently have availability for weekday face to face, walk & talk sessions, and for daytime and evening online sessions. Please contact for more information on appointment times and availability.

I offer person centred counselling with some integrative creative work to help you explore your own issues, feelings, beliefs, behaviour and world view, so you can become more self aware and develop effective coping strategies to reach your full potential so you can start to feel more in control. 

Counselling is a non-directive talking therapy which means you are not given homework or told how to feel better, instead you are provided a safe, non-judgmental, trusting space and therapeutic relationship based on respect and empathy to explore your emotions, behaviours and experiences that are impacting your life in a constructive way.

The focus of every session is on you and supporting your journey towards self-awareness, healing and mental wellbeing.

As well as talking therapy I do offer some creative work (if appropriate for you) where we may use drawing, sand trays and stacking dolls to aid you in your exploration of your emotions.

My practice offers both short term and long term options:-

Short term -  if you have a specific issue you would like to address I can offer a set of once a week sessions for 12 weeks. If you are a trainee counsellor requiring a specific number of hours of counselling for your course requirements I can offer you a set amount of 20 sessions (or the number you require).

Long Term - if you have a chronic issue or feel you may need something more open ended then I can offer long term counselling where there is no set of sessions or end date and we review your needs as we go along. These can be booked as weekly/fortnightly/monthly sessions.

Our work together is one on one, and I can provide 3 different ways to do this depending on what suits you best:- 

-Face to face in a traditional counselling room setting based in the centre of York

-Walk & Talk, with a choice of 3 different routes in York ranging from urban with pavements to a natural field in the countryside depending on your preference and ability. Counselling is done whilst walking side by side with the added benefits of regulating gentle exercise.

-Online via a video call, this is idea for anyone who does not live in the York area, has accesibility issues, or simply prefers being in the comfort of their own space. 

I offer a free 30 minute session where you can get to know me and how I work to see if I am the right counsellor for you before deciding to continue. If you decide to continue I will send you a contract and a personal details form for you to complete before booking your first sesssion. Payment will always be required 24hours in advance of the session, when received I will send you a confirmation of our appointment (with a video link if online).

Face to face/Online sessions - The first session will be a chance for me to briefly go through some of essential bits of housekeeping such as confidentiality and cancellation policies that are in the contract. This will give you chance to ask any questions you may have.

The rest of the session will be a chance for you to talk about what has brought you to therapy and what you would like to get from it. We will agree goals for you, and how we will work together. I do not have a formal assessment process unless there is mention of self harm or suicide.

Walk and Talk sessions - The first session will alway be held online via video call. We will discuss the routes, what you will need, what you can expect and do a formal risk assessment.