Warming Rays Psychotherapy

PSYCHOTHERapY IN South Petherton NEAR YEOVIl & TAUNTON IN SOMERSET

Welcome to

Warming Rays Psychotherapy

When the sun’s rays reach our skin, it’s warmth seems to permeate through to our very core, reaching all those hurt places within us that need extra nourishment.

This concept gave rise to my practice name, as quite simply, I help my clients feel better.

Thank you for visiting Warming Rays Psychotherapy. I’m Nicola Rhodes and I offer counselling and psychotherapy in the heart of Somerset to adults, children and young people aged 11-18 years.

Counselling and therapy in a safe, comfy and private space

Within the difficult moments in our lives, receiving unconditional support, understanding and genuine care go a long way in helping us feel better.

As your therapist I’ll provide these qualities to you within the therapeutic relationship we’ll build together session by session. A relationship based on trust and honesty and on being real in the moment with each other, enabling you to be the driving force behind your therapy as you rediscover your inner reserves of resilience and a more empowered you, making any realisations and shifts you experience, life changing one’s.

From a young age, I noticed my friends would seek me out for guidance and support about their problems, telling me I was a good listener. The rewarding feeling this gave me eventually developed into the desire to train to become a counsellor and psychotherapist.

There have been bumps along the road, as with us all, but I finally realised my lifelong vocation in ‘21/‘22 by acquiring my level 4 and 5 Diplomas in Counselling and Psychotherapy. A full list of my qualifications can be found below.

Read about my qualifications
  • CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills
  • CPCAB Level 3 Counselling Studies
  • CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
  • CPCAB Level 5 Psychotherapeutic Counselling Diploma
  • BACP Competencies For Humanistic Counselling with Young People (11-18 years) - Stage 1
  • Cruse Bereavement Care/ Bereavement Support Foundation Course, Face To Face Elective Training
  • Counselling Tutor/ Online and Telephone counselling course - BACP recognised

My clinical background as a counsellor began on placement with Cruse and at a local college as a student counsellor, where I worked with a diverse clientele of all ages with an array of presenting issues. My clients have taught me so much about life and about myself and for this they’ll always be my life’s treasures, as they continue to be.

I’m a Registered member of The British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists, something I take very seriously, as my client work is guided by and kept safe within the stringent parameters of The Ethical Framework set out by this association, so abiding by this framework allows me to continue to meet the high standards of good practice expected of me as a Registered member.

My Approach

I’m an Integrative Psychotherapist, so my approach to therapy is completely eclectic. I chose to base my practice on my core training within the Humanistic Person-Centred approach, to reflect the importance of the therapeutic relationship and core conditions this approach represents, additionally flavoured by other models, approaches and theories such as Gestalt, CBT, The Psychodynamic approach, Polvagel (Trauma therapy) attachment theory and most recently The Internal Family Systems model.


All of these approaches are carefully woven together to create a bespoke blend of therapies to suit each client and so in essence you will receive the therapy that is totally unique for you, based upon what you bring to therapy, your experiences, personality and preferences.


As a Creative therapist, clients who opt to explore this avenue use art, sand, clay, baking and an assortment of props such as Emotion cards, Neurodiversity cards, buttons and crystals, to name but a few, to aid their therapeutic journey.


This is particularly apt for those of you seeking therapy for a child or young person (11-18 years) as creative therapy has been shown to be very beneficial in bringing about positive change within this age group, using a diverse range of creative techniques to help make sense of and grow within any current struggles or past trauma they may be experiencing and/ or processing.


We flow from emotion to emotion and therapy is much the same, as fluid and ever evolving as we are. So our work will be adapted accordingly to reflect any changing needs and goals you may encounter, whether they are inside or out of the therapy room. This is why building our therapeutic relationship early on is key to our works success, so we can have honest and open conversations with one another about any adaptations.

A Confidential Space

You’ll be met with unwavering empathy, acceptance, warmth and understanding as we explore any difficult experiences you may bring. Helping you feel unjudged, safe and secure as you meet yourself within these vulnerable moments.

What To Expect From Therapy

Initially we will discuss your goals and expectations of therapy. I will check in with you regularly to see if I’m meeting these needs. Trust is nurtured from the outset as our therapeutic bond builds, this helps cushion the effect of meeting challenging issues head on and will guide you towards the resolutions and outcomes you seek.

A Client Centred Approach

I will be open and honest with you about how I’m experiencing you and I’ll encourage you to do likewise. Being honest with each other helps to build trust between us and can be a useful way to see how you may relate to others in your life, which will be informed by the way you relate to me.

Issues I Can Help With

Here are some of the issues I have encountered as a therapist that I may be able to help you with:

Self harm

Trauma

Depression

Suicidal ideation

Sexual or narcissistic abuse

Anxiety

Domestic violence

Autism

Relationship problems

Bereavement, grief and loss

ADHD

PTSD

Problems with confidence/ self esteem

Elderly age and end of life

Anger

"I really appreciate everything you did for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your help!


Thankyou again Nikki :)"

Jess, Dorset

‘I am very pleased to be able to write this review for Nikki. She is a special warm lady who I can recommend whole heartedly. I first spoke to her when I lost my husband, and then again when life was getting too much for me. Nikki was extremely helpful, it’s such a relief to be able to talk to someone so confidentially who has the understanding and wants to help. Nikki helped me through a very difficult time and explored different aspects of my life in a safe place, it helped me to better understand my situation and be able to move on. It also helps to know that I can contact her anytime in the future. I am very grateful for her wonderful work with me.’

Denise, Wales

‘Nikki has been nothing but brilliant during my sessions with her. I generally feel quite uncomfortable when talking about myself to others, or addressing feelings that lie much deeper than surface level, however Nikki made me feel completely at ease from the moment I walked through the door on our first session. I never felt pressured to talk about anything I wasn’t ready to verbalise and our sessions always seemed very calming, most certainly influenced by Nikki’s overall persona, which definitely helped me process trauma and grief in my own time. Her understanding nature and ability to truly listen was something that I will never forget. She became one of the few people in my life that made me feel heard, and enabled me to have an outlet that I’ll forever be thankful for.’

S, Somerset

‘Thank you for helping me this past year, I am so grateful we were brought together, be it in dreadful circumstances. Our incredible relationship has been such a support within my immense grief and the poem you gave me is something I’ll carry with me always and have shown it to some other grieving Mum’s I know. The web of warmth and love and healing you weave is

so far reaching and our work together has meant so much and has set me on a pathway forward.’

B, Yeovil

‘Nikki, you have been just the BEST person to help not only my daughter but me also, she has loved her time with you and looked forward to seeing you every time. You have made us feel really looked out for and safe and have gone above and beyond for us and we won’t forget that.’

G, Somerset

‘Thank you so much Nicola. You’ve honestly been a major piece in a real turn

around point in my life and I am forever grateful.’

Natasha, South Petherton

My location

We’ll meet weekly at a cosy and welcoming space easily located in the village of South Petherton. If you have access issues I have an alternative office over in Street which is fully wheelchair accessible. Alternatively, sessions can be arranged in your home if remote therapy via the phone/ video call doesn’t suit you or getting out and about isn’t an option for you. This is subject to locality and situation.

Inclusivity is very important to me and as with the rays of the sun, I strive to reach everyone.

Fees & availability

Having an initial chat over the phone or video call works well in the first instance as we can introduce ourselves, giving you the opportunity to decide whether you feel comfortable opening up to me. This call is free and lasts about 15 minutes.

It’s useful to find out within our call what has brought you to therapy and to establish your preferred way to meet me. I work Monday-Thursday 9-6pm. A regular weekly slot can be arranged following our initial call, and flexible hours are available.

A session with me lasts for 50 minutes and costs £50. Bank transfer is preferable but I also accept cash and cheques.

Mindful Moment

This month’s mindful moment is perhaps on the personal side, taken from my lived experience of the darker side to relationships. Toxic relationship

dynamics are frequently brought to therapy, where clients have reached breaking point within them. This isn’t always in intimate relationships, as

was my own experience, but can be within families also.

This was unfortunately the case for me, going from one unhealthy relationship to another, culminating in a narrow escape after spiraling to the depths of despair and real danger when at one point I had 3 abusive relationships in a row. This was my breaking point and some counselling

colleagues had to give me a tough talking to in order to wake me up to this pattern I had got myself into, a cycle of non-existent boundaries, minimal

self worth or values.


I had to re-evaluate my life, make sense of it all in therapy and find myself again. This meant having 6 years intimate relationship free, immersing myself in self care, therapy, mindfulness and yoga, where I was able to model strength, resilience, healthy boundaries, intuit sensing, self respect and valuing to my children, who thankfully took all of this on board! It was also during this time that I finished my degree in Psychotherapy, perhaps making me a literal wounded healer!.


Having this experience, as terrifying as it was at times, has meant that I’m able to offer clients therapy gold when it comes to true empathy, understanding and healing techniques. It’s almost as though the universe is at play in having brought me so many clients who need this very niche support that I can offer, clients trapped in a Narcissitically abusive relationship namely, which are perhaps the most insidiously abusive relationships of all.


If this is your situation, please know there is help available to you. Making that first step is the hardest part of all, especially as it means having to face our own unhealthy patterns of relating, to ourselves and others. Please reach out for a confidential chat with me.

Get in touch

Please leave your details below and I will endeavour to reply to you as soon as possible. This form is strictly confidential and only seen by me.

You can also get in touch via 07952656988 or emailing me through the contact form.

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