Raje Airey
MSc she/her
Psychotherapist & counsellor
Everyone has a story to tell. Whether you are new to therapy or have tried it before, if something is not right or you want to understand yourself better, I may be able to help.
I offer therapy and counselling to adults and young people (18+) and supervision to trainee and qualified practitioners. I draw on nearly twenty years’ clinical experience – in the NHS, education, workplace settings and private practice.
‘I welcome people from all walks of life and offer a safe space for you to tell your story and be heard.’
Counselling
a solution-focused approach for immediate concerns
Psychotherapy
working at depth to address complex issues
Young People
talking to someone outside the family can be helpful
Supervision
trainee and qualified practitioners, 1:1 or in groups
FAQs
What sorts of issues do you work with?
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and lack of motivation
- Mood swings
- Self-criticism and low self-esteem
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Trauma
- Relationship difficulties – past or present
- School, college or workplace problems
- Grief and loss
- Feeling isolated, lacking direction
- Transitions (e.g. to college, Uni, having a baby, redundancy or retirement)
- Bullying
- Self-harm
- Identity issues
How can ‘just talking’ help?
A conversation with a therapist is different to other sorts of talking as the focus of attention is on you. At first this can feel strange or challenging, so I will help put you at ease, listening carefully to what you say, going at your pace and helping you stay grounded. I never expect you to reveal more than you want to and by working together I will help you make sense of your experiences and find ways to move forward.
Do you work with people who are in crisis?
At the first appointment I complete a risk assessment with all my clients and keep this under review as we go along. I will work with people in crisis provided they are stable, can benefit from working with me and have good support systems in place outside of therapy. These can include family or friends, regular contact with a GP or the support of mental health services. If I became concerned about a deterioration in your mental state, I would seek consent to share information with your GP. This is explained more fully in my therapy agreement.
What does therapy involve?
Therapy sometimes involves intense emotional discussions. You may find yourself crying, upset or even having an angry outburst. Some people feel physically exhausted after a session, some feel worse before they start feeling better. And many look forward to their sessions. There can be moments of shared humour and celebrations of positive changes along the way. Each person’s experience is unique, and I take care to make the experience manageable for you.
Does it matter what sort of therapy I choose?
Research indicates that a good ‘fit’ between you and your therapist is very important when considering client outcomes. It is a good idea to do some research and see what appeals to you. Ideally speak to a variety of therapists before deciding. If I think that you would benefit from a different therapist or approach, then I will point you in the right direction.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The terms are often used interchangeably and there is no hard and fast distinction in the way I work. Psychotherapy is a Post-Grad level training and involves substantial hours spent in personal therapy and supervision. Counselling training is at under-grad or graduate level, may or may not require personal therapy and requires fewer hours to qualify. United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) registration is generally seen as the ‘gold standard’ of the profession.