I’m Rachel Hawkins-Crockford and I am a Counsellor and Writing for Wellbeing practitioner based in Westbury On Trym, Bristol. I work with a range of issues and I’m particularly experienced working with bereavement, grief and loss.

My own journey into supporting other people came after a corporate career and a move from New Zealand to the UK.  Like many who retrain as counsellors or health practitioners, I became a counsellor because I had experienced the benefits of it myself and writing was something I had also used as a way of processing emotions for many years, using it to bring me back to a calm place when life felt overwhelming.  Now I’m passionate about finding ways to support others using these skills.

Because people are unique and have diverse backgrounds, needs and concerns, I work in a person-centred and pluralistic way, incorporating different theories into my practice in order to meet the needs of each client. ​I understand  that when life get hard, and everything seems to be an uphill struggle, it can be difficult to take the first step forward. I know from my own experience that even choosing the right person to talk to can feel difficult and counselling can seem a daunting prospect.

If you choose to undertake counselling with me, you will have a safe and confidential space in which to explore your issues and find solutions, develop coping strategies and make positive changes. As a member of both the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and the National Counselling Society (NCS), I work within their ethical guidelines, which include regular supervision and professional development training.

As a writing for wellbeing practitioner, I am also a member of Lapidus, the membership body for creative writing for therapeutic purposes and active in the activities they run for their members.

I currently work online via zoom and other online platforms and this is my counselling space in Westbury-On-Trym:

From time to time I also use a therapy room at the lovely Flamingo Centre in Henleaze/Southmead and offer writing for wellbeing workshops there too.