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My Background



 

Helen Rutherford BA Hons, Dip HE,  MBACP Accred

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As the founder of Emotional Respite Disability Counselling Service and someone living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, I understand firsthand the profound connection between mental and physical well-being. My own journey navigating the healthcare system showed me just how many barriers exist for disabled people seeking mental health support. From physical inaccessibility to a lack of understanding from providers, I saw the need for a service designed by and for disabled individuals.

That is why I created Emotional Respite to provide a space where disabled people can access compassionate, flexible, and personalised support from therapists who truly "get it." Our team is made up of experienced disabled therapists who bring both professional expertise and personal insight, offering a level of understanding that goes beyond traditional services.

We are committed to addressing the holistic needs of our clients, recognising that disability impacts every aspect of life. Through our online platform, we aim to remove the physical barriers to psychological services, ensuring you can access support from the comfort of your home.

At Emotional Respite, we believe that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and understood. Our mission is to offer a space where you can receive the support you need on your terms with compassion and understanding.

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Works with issues such as:

  • Physical Disability

  • Health-related issues

  • Identity issues

  • Neurodiversity

  • Anxiety

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME

  • Depression

  • Relationships

  • Rare Diseases
  • Self-esteem

  • Confidence

  • Trauma

  • LGBTQ+ 

  • Stress

  • MS

  • Life Transitions

  • Chronic Pain

  • Carer support

Work Experience​

  • Founder/Owner of Emotional Respite Disability Counselling Service

  • Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor in private practice

  • Therapist for Babylon Health, a telemental health platform

  • Counsellor at Newcastle University 

  • Rape Crisis Helpline operator

  • Counsellor for the NHS in a GP surgery

  • Counsellor at Place2Be

Professional Skills

  • Clinical Supervision

  • Counselling

  • Disability Awareness

  • Safeguarding of vulnerable adults

  • Online Counselling Skills

  • Guest Speaker

  • Author of published articles

                        Qualifications

  • BACP Accreditation

  • Level 6 CPCAB Supervision

  • BA Hons in Counselling

  • DipHE in Business Administration

  • OCST Online Counselling Skills

  • Disability Awareness for Therapists

 Personal Skills

  • Friendly

  • Warm

  • Supportive

  • Compassionate

  • Caring

  • Kind

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