Rahi Popat

I have availability during the following days and times;

Mondays - 4.30pm - 8pm

Tuesdays - 4.30pm - 8pm

Wednesdays - 4.30pm - 8pm

Fridays - 4.30pm - 8pm

Saturdays - 8.30am - 12pm

I believe every client should be treated as an individual and welcome and embrace diversity and difference. I work with individuals of all backgrounds, ages, beliefs and gender. I work supportively, collaboratively, and compassionately with people who are experiencing challenges that may be causing distress. These might include feelings of anxiety, depression, trauma, racism, prejudice, relationship issues and loss. I am passionate about supporting people to develop a sense of compassionate self-awareness.

I am registered as a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within the Code of Ethics to meet the required standards for my profession. I am  registered with the International Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and adhere to the profession’s requirements regarding GDPR.

As a person-centred therapist, I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework, prioritising your needs, feelings, and self-discovery. I offer a non-judgmental, confidential, and empathetic space where you can safely explore your thoughts and emotions. My role is to facilitate sessions which help you to build capacity for experiencing emotions which may have previously felt overwhelming or uncomfortable. I am patient, empathetic, and invested in being alongside you in your therapeutic journey. I believe in the value of collaboration, working together to address your concerns and goals.

Deciding to start therapy can be daunting and it is important that you feel comfortable and respected in your individual journey. There may be several reasons for seeking therapy or, sometimes, the reasons might not initially be completely clear. By exploring these issues within a safe and confidential space we can uncover why particular patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving exist. This type of self-exploration and the greater self-understanding that is achieved empowers us to create new, healthier patterns for our future, leading to lasting change and a more fulfilling way of living.

I work therapeutically with young people (aged 14+), with adult consent due to safeguarding, and adults experiencing a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, bereavement, trauma, abuse, relationship and/or family issues, self-esteem, eating disorders, and stress.

The most important aspect of any therapy is the relationship between client and therapist; I believe a comfortable client-therapist connection is built on mutual trust and respect which will form the foundation of our therapeutic relationship and the effective work we do together. As a trauma-informed therapist, I am curious about your experiences and how these might have shaped your view of yourself, of others and relationships, and your sense of safety in the world around you.

I never underestimate the courage it takes to reach out for help and support. Throughout our work together I will strive to understand, as accurately as possible, the way you experience your world; to get a real sense of the challenges you face and what it is like to be you. I will try to help you to explore more deeply your thoughts and feelings so that you can develop a greater understanding of your experiences and what these mean to you. I value each person’s individuality, working in a person-centred way to honour difference, diversity and respect the uniqueness of each one of my clients.

Together, we will address your concerns and goals, tailoring our sessions to meet your specific needs. You will be the one who dictates the pace and emotional depth of therapy, and I will walk with you as a professional and compassionate companion throughout this journey. You can expect to be treated within a safe, confidential environment throughout our work together.

I am able to offer sessions in English and Gujarati, ensuring effective communication and accommodating your language preferences. I understand the importance of language in conveying your thoughts and emotions accurately.

In the therapy journey, an assessment plays a pivotal role, setting the foundation for our therapeutic relationship. The assessment session will last 20 minutes and can be conducted online or via telephone.

A first session should allow both the therapist and client to review if they can work together and whether working together is a good step at this time. This is an opportunity for clients to find out how the therapist works and identify what the goals of the therapy may be. I will ask you questions about yourself and what has brought you to therapy at this time. I am open to answering any questions that will help you to decide whether you would like to proceed with therapy. I will explain issues of confidentiality and how to manage cancellations. We will agree the boundaries of the client-therapist relationship regarding times and future dates of sessions.

We will discuss the therapeutic contract, and begin to explore your story, your experiences and how you see the world. The therapy contract acts as a mutual agreement between both the therapist and client as to the work undertaken together. There will be plenty of opportunity for you to ask questions and share any concerns you may have about the therapy process. In subsequent sessions, what we talk about will be guided by you; the time we have together is a chance for you to talk about the things that are important to you. 

It is my professional responsibility to ensure you receive the most appropriate form of help. Should it become clear that what is offered is not the most suitable or helpful approach to meet your needs, I will endeavour to suggest or recommend alternative sources of support.

I am always happy to help and answer any enquiries you might have. I aim to respond within 48 hours. 

For ongoing sessions, payment is required a minimum of 24 hours before each scheduled session to maintain consistency.

I am open to receiving feedback at any point during the process.