Rachel Smitheman, BACP

Rachel Smitheman is a person-centred counsellor who qualified in the United Kingdom in 2020 and holds BACP accreditation. She has five years of professional experience supporting adults and young people with common difficulties such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and problems with motivation. Rachel uses straightforward, compassionate language and aims to create a calm space where people can talk about what matters to them.

She focuses on practical, respectful listening rather than labels. Sessions are collaborative and paced to each person. Rachel helps people untangle feelings around relationships, life changes and midlife questions, and she pays attention to how past attachments can shape present worries.

Her work often covers concerns such as stress, communication problems, guilt and shame, and isolation or loneliness. She also supports people facing chronic illness, caregiving strain, divorce or separation, and issues around body image and self-worth. These topics are approached through open conversation and exploration of coping strategies.

Rachel values sensitivity and simple honesty in sessions. Her style is warm and non-judgemental, aiming to help people notice patterns and make choices that feel manageable. The focus is on what can be changed now and how to cope with what cannot.

People interested in therapy will follow a short matching process to begin. Rachel accepts international clients and works in English. Practical details such as session type and scheduling are confirmed after the initial match so people can pick what fits their routine.

How client-centred work fits with online therapy

Rachel uses client-centred therapy, which means the counsellor offers empathic listening and follows the client’s lead. This approach helps when people need space to talk through feelings about relationships, life purpose or a midlife crisis and want someone to reflect their experience back without judgement.

Client-centred work focuses on understanding how you feel and what you want to change. The counsellor supports you to make your own decisions and to find coping ways that fit your life. That is useful for concerns such as anxiety, low self-esteem, grief or adjusting to big life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Rachel will collaborate with each person to decide what techniques and pace suit their goals and preferences. Together you will check progress and adjust the way you work if something is not helping.

The original profile does not list which session formats are offered, so please confirm current online options before booking. In general, online therapy can help people fit sessions around work, caregiving or travel. It can make it easier to have shorter check-ins, avoid commuting, or meet from different locations when that suits daily life.