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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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. I have a limited number of later evening and Saturday morning slots available. 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.
Many clients apologise to me if and when they shed a tear, yet it is something we were born doing and is a sign of our vitality and life force. There is no shame in it or weakness and yet somewhere along our timeline we learnt that it’s something we shouldn’t do.
Crying is survival, an instinct we were born with and an intrinsic component of our being human.
There is so much strength in our tears and what’s more they really are healing. The reason we feel such a release and ultimately better when we’ve had a good cry is that our bodies naturally release the stress hormone Cortisol in our tears which is replaced, in so doing, by the love hormone Oxytocin.
So next time you feel those familiar waves of emotion coursing through your system, let them come, as it’s your body's way of looking after you, trust that and let those tears flow.
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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