Dr Rachel Gould Psychologist

Dr Rachel Gould is an empathic Clinical Psychologist, who enjoys working with adults and adolescents with a wide range of issues. She particularly values helping people with mood, worry and distress problems. These might originate either from the past or have occurred more recently. Rachel is focussed on compassionate and collaborative approaches to treatment. She believes this approach will help to alleviate distress, resolve problems and increase wellbeing. Her training enables her to work in a flexible and responsive way, with a range of theoretical and evidence-based therapeutic approaches. She draws on the most appropriate approaches, according to your needs and preferences. Rachel recognises that no two people are the same, and that it is important to understand you as an individual. For therapy to be effective, she believes it is vital to build a strong therapeutic partnership in a safe and supported environment. In therapy, she will take time to listen and carefully develop with you an agreed approach that is tailored to your needs. Her aim is for you to develop and draw on your existing strengths and skills. Rachel has specialist qualifications in cognitive behaviour therapy. She may utilise a newer form of cognitive behaviour therapy – Compassion–Focused Therapy (CFT), which can be helpful in identifying and developing your strengths. Drawing on attachment and psychodynamic theory, Rachel also utilises mindfulness and behavioural family therapy. Rachel attends regular clinical supervision with peers and maintains links with highly qualified supervisors at Oxford University to continue professional development and maintain high standards of practice. Experience Rachel qualified as a Psychologist in Melbourne in 1993 and worked in adult community mental health and trauma services and also had a private practice before moving to the UK in 2001. In the UK, Rachel completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. She worked in UK community adult and early intervention services with clients and families to treat adolescent and adult mental health difficulties. Rachel led and developed staff teams and provided clinical supervision to many clinical psychologists and therapists. In 2016 she received an award for compassionate leadership, in North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, based on staff nomination. For the last five years Rachel has worked in private practice in Australia with adolescents and adults.