Rachel Gaskell

Hi, I’m Rach and I use She/They pronouns. Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge you, in finding your way here. Taking those first steps might be feeling a bit daunting, and trying to find a counsellor that you connect with can feel scary.

On being a queer human…

Put simply, I am a human being and I am queer, with that comes my own personal journey and experiences, learning and knowledge. Being human and being queer, comes with its many vulnerabilities and I know those places can feel painful, frightening, upsetting, and many other feelings pulled into the mix. This and my belief in being real and genuine, are the very foundations of what I offer in counselling.

On being a counsellor…

I am a qualified Person-Centred counsellor dedicated to supporting you on your unique journey. I have a firm belief that everyone is their own expert and that sometimes we may need some support along the way so we can safely explore what is currently happening for us. 

Other work I’m involved in…

I have an understanding of the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. I also work as the LGBT+ Lead and Social Prescriber in a Primary Care Network. In this work, I embrace a creative and collaborative approach that challenges perceptions of ‘normal’, encourages increased staff LGBT+ awareness in healthcare through training, supporting LGBT+ patients directly and pushing boundaries with queer activism.

I’m passionate about working with all LGBT+ people and their families. I know that being queer can require a huge amount of bravery, vulnerability and integrity and that this can sometimes contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress, fear, isolation, fatigue and more, which can amplify other issues that you’re feeling. I recognise that while working on yourself, it can come with challenges which may feel frightening, impractical or contradicting with messages from our family, friends and society.

My practice is based in Toxteth, Liverpool. I am a registered counsellor with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), which means I adhere to their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. My practice is fully insured and strictly confidential. 

I am committed to creating a safe and inclusive space where you can explore your experiences without fear of judgment, discrimination or assumptions. In our counselling sessions, my approach is rooted in queer-affirmative and trauma-informed therapy. I also believe in the power of art, storytelling, and other expressive mediums to facilitate healing and personal growth.

If you feel that you would be happy to chat with me further, I offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation so we can get to know each other better, and explore together the ways I might be able to help.

If you decide to have counselling with me, I will send you my contract for you to look at in advance of our first session. In this session, we will talk together to get an understanding of how you are feeling.