Pleased to Meet You!

Hi, I am Rachel Lowden (Pro-nouns She/Her), I am 48 yrs Old, I live in Hastings, East Sussex and I have had the privilege of working within the field of Autism for 28 years in one capacity or another!

The landscape of our understanding has grown and evolved since I first began teaching in FE in my early 20's, and Autism was bracketed as a learning difficulty or not seen at all.

Presently my practice centres around the neurobiology of neurodivergence ( ADHD, Bi-polar, Dyslexia, Dycalclia etc) and focus's on empowering clients in learning how to work with their nervous system through creativity and body work.

My experience as a Performing Arts Teacher, Drama Therapist and then a Registered Court Intermediary within the criminal justice system has enabled me to gain knowledge and experience in -depth and meaningfully.

I work part time for the NHS in primary care, running a small service for ND teenagers and adults undiagnosed or diagnosed but with no co-concurrent learning difficulties. I specialise in women and use my recent work in mental health and creativity (MSc at Queen Mary University) to inform 1-1 therapy and group work.

At The Eggtooth project in Hastings I operate as a supervisor and trainer and I am involved in research and practice in applied, participatory theatre, which has involved working with theatre companies  such as WildWorks. 

https://wildworks.org.uk/

My work is directed away from the Social Disability model of Autism and is gears away from pathologizing neurodivergence. I offer a whole approach in therapy which is relational and always a learning environment for both parties.

I am the Chair person for Boathouse Theatre Arts and a Trustee for Hastings City of Sanctuary. My work takes me across the UK, and internationally.

My Supervisor is an Arts Psychotherapist and runs the Theatre Company https://www.movingpieces.co.uk/

Hello, I’m Rachel Singh, a registered and BACP accredited therapist based in Brighton, UK.  I qualified in 2015 and have enjoyed working as a therapist ever since then. 

My core training is in Humanistic Integrative Counselling and, I believe therapy process is to provide you a place in equipping you to feel empowered enough to believe you can navigate your own self. My aim is to offer you a trustworthy therapeutic relationship whereby you can feel free to explore and express whatever you feel you need to so that you can move forward in your life. 

At the heart of my approach lies the belief that each individual is unique, and what proves beneficial to one person may not necessarily be suited for another. To ensure that I provide the most tailored support possible, I have pursued additional therapeutic trainings, complementing my core humanistic integrative training. This equips me with the ability to customise my therapeutic to cater fully to an individual’s specific needs and preferences.

Experience:

Before commencing my therapy training, I gained 7 years of invaluable experience in strategic management positions focused on autism. Throughout this period, I actively contributed to the well-being of young adults by assisting them in reducing challenging behaviours. Additionally, I held community support and family support roles for 12 years.

As an accredited integrative therapist, I bring over 20 years of valuable experience in Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) to my practice. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working closely with a diverse range of individuals, including young people and those who have recently retired. Many have been diagnosed later in life as a result of experiencing severe episodes of depression or facing various behavioural issues.

My expertise extends to providing compassionate support for individuals dealing with a wide array of concerns, including low self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, panic attacks, ASD, anger, confrontational behaviour, and at times, substance misuse.

My passion for this field drives me to stay informed and engaged in ongoing research, particularly in mental health diagnoses, treatments, and associated risks. I firmly believe in the power of talking therapy to promote healthy wellbeing and have been exploring the benefits of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Empowering individuals with choices is central to my approach, providing them with the best chance for success, autonomy, and independence after a mental health diagnosis.

As a dedicated professional, I actively participate in personal and group supervision sessions, continuously honing my skills. Throughout my therapy training, I’ve utilized counseling evaluation tools to assess outcomes and ensure the highest level of care for my clients.

Training and qualifications:

BRAINSPOTTING training PHASE 1, ONLINE with Dr Mark Grixti , 19-21 NOVEMBER 2021 

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Foundational Training-British Isles DBT training. September 2016- March 2017.

Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, CPPD, Hornsey, London 2014 - 2015.

Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, CPPD, Hornsey, London 2013- 2014.

Psychotherapy & Counselling Foundation Certificate, Regents College London, September 2012-2013

Here are some short courses and workshops I have recently attended:

The Centre Relational Psychoanalysis: Introductory 6 month Workshop with Teresa Finlay from July 2022 - April 2023

Trauma Treatment Certification Training (CCTP): The Latest Advances and Proven Techniques to Resolve Deeply Held Trauma with Dr Janina Fischer from 27-28th April 2023

Working with Cognitions in DBT with Dr Janet Feingenbaum on 16th September 2020

Broken Threads: The impact of Trauma on the Patient and the Practitioner with Dr Maggie Turp and Dr Phil Leask on 8th June 2019