Rachael Hough, BACP

Rachael Hough is a counsellor who helps people untangle what feels overwhelming. She uses a straightforward, collaborative style to help people find what feels normal for them. Rachael welcomes questions and offers a calm space to begin making sense of difficult feelings.

She brings three years of practical experience, including roles at two mental health charities. That background means she has sat with people navigating loss, anxiety, low mood and the aftermath of abuse. She has supported people facing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, post-traumatic stress and bereavement, always working alongside them rather than handing down advice.

Rachael focuses on helping people recognise patterns and build small, manageable steps forward. Sessions centre on what the person knows about themselves and what they want to change. The approach is flexible and tailored rather than fixed to a single method.

People meet Rachael to talk through stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem and depression. Conversations aim to clarify priorities and try out different ways of coping. Rachael helps people test ideas and choose what works in everyday life.

If someone is unsure how to begin, Rachael encourages simple first steps. She asks curious, non-judgemental questions and helps shape a plan together. This makes it easier to move from surviving to finding a steadier day-to-day way of living.

Evidence-based techniques and online counselling

Rachael uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people make sense of difficult emotions and experiences. One approach focuses on recognising and changing unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, which can help with anxiety and low mood by offering small, practical steps to try. Another approach involves gently processing trauma and its effects so distressing memories and reactions feel less overwhelming over time.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and help decide what fits the person's goals, needs and preferences. This is a collaborative process that may involve trying different ways of working until something feels useful.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life. It can reduce travel time and allow conversations to happen from locations that suit the person. Confirm the session formats available before booking so arrangements match practical needs and daily routines.