Welcome to RLS Therapy
I’m Rebekah Sheppard and I’m a counsellor in Manchester. I’d like to be there for you as you navigate difficult times. I offer supportive, affordable, therapy to help you feel like yourself again.
My Approach
Person-centred counselling
I’m not here to “fix” or “analyse”, because I don’t beleive there is anything “wrong” with you. Maybe you are struggling a little bit right now and that’s ok. It’s just you, at your pace. You guide the sessions, and I listen, reflecting back and offering insight, without offering advice. If you’d like to know more about the person-centred approach my blog post might be helpful. We can have sessions online via zoom or face-to-face and I offer concessions to students or to those financially struggling or on low incomes. I really beleive in accessible therapy, but I know waiting lists can be too long when you need mental health support.
Genuine, caring, acceptance
My approach is down-to-earth, honest, and centred on you. I’m here to listen—not to judge. I want you to feel accepted, however you are feeling. All sessions are completely confidential, and I work ethically in line with the BACP Ethical Framework. I have a trauma-informed practice and I am neuro-divergent friendly. You can just be yourself and let down the mask.
Mindfulness
I am trained in trauma-responsive mindfulness (more info here). If grounding exercises help you feel calmer, or if you’d like to try them, you can let me know on a session-by-session basis. If you’re new to mindfulness, I can guide you and adapt the practice to suit your needs, always responding sensitively to any past trauma.
Creative
You might find it helpful to express yourself through colour, movement, or music. I am training in person-centred expressive arts, and if this sounds appealing, we can explore your feelings creatively in our sessions. You can read more about this approach on my blog.
My approach centres on building a therapeutic relationship grounded in genuine rapport, empathy, trust and acceptance.
Ways I can support you
People come to therapy for all kinds of reasons. You don’t need to have a diagnosis or a ‘big issue’ — if something is on your mind, it matters. Here are some of the experiences I often support clients with:
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Feeling anxious, worried, or overwhelmed by panic
Living with low mood, emptiness, or depression
Struggling with health anxiety or constant “what if” thoughts
Difficulties around food, body image, or eating patterns
Coping with the challenges of ADHD
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Tensions, conflict, or difficulties in relationships
Exploring questions of identity or self-understanding
Living with the impact of abuse, coercion, or controlling behaviour
Recovering from trauma, critical incidents, or difficult childhood experiences
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Grieving a bereavement or loss
Coping with miscarriage, fertility struggles, or baby loss
Navigating perinatal changes or new parenthood
Experiencing menopause or women’s mental health challenges
Adjusting to work stress, redundancy, or unemployment
Feeling drained by academic pressure or burnout
Caring for others and experiencing compassion fatigue
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Managing chronic illness or life-changing health conditions
Experiencing culture shock, displacement, or collective trauma
This isn’t a complete list — if you don’t see your situation here, you’re still welcome to get in touch. Therapy is about you, not the label.
ABOUT ME
Rebekah Sheppard
MBACP, PhD, PgDiP
My qualifications include a Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a PhD in Anthropology and Arts, based on research in Africa. I am also a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Our sessions can be carried out in English or French.
I’ve worked in the NHS, supporting clients from diverse backgrounds, and have experience mentoring and teaching children and young people, which has given me insight into different life stages and ways of expressing ourselves.
I’m passionate about creative and mindful approaches to wellbeing. I’m currently developing projects with groups of migrant women, exploring art and mindfulness, and I’m a qualified Arts for the Blues Practitioner. I also contribute to an NHS project delivering arts-based interventions for people experiencing depression.
Talk to me
Schedule a free consultation. We will just discuss your needs, have a chat and see if I’m the right fit for you.
FAQ
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Starting therapy can feel daunting. We can have a chat to see if I’m the right therapist for you, or I may be able to help guide you in the right direction. You can reach out via WhatsApp, email, DM, or the contact form below. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible, and we can arrange a free 25-minute consultation.
You can also explore my blog to learn more about what to expect in therapy and find tips for choosing the right therapist.
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Full Price session £60
Concessions/students £40
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Ultimately, you decide. While research suggests a minimum of six sessions can be helpful, most people continue for longer. Sessions aren’t set in stone—you can adjust the amount as needed, and we’ll discuss what works best for you during your free consultation.
Book a free consultation
A warm and inviting space…
Face to face counselling in South Manchester.
Thursday evening, in-person, appointments now available.
Online appointments via zoom at flexible times.