Rebecca Rust-Ashford, BACP

Rebecca Rust-Ashford is a counsellor who works with people facing anxiety, stress, low mood and the effects of trauma. She uses a person-focused way of working and aims to create a calm, non-judgemental space for people to speak and be heard. Rebecca is registered with the BACP, which appears after her name as BACP.

She adapts her approach to each person rather than using a single method for everyone. That means sessions often start by listening closely to what matters most to the client. From there she and the client agree practical steps to try between sessions.

Rebecca draws on approaches that are commonly used for trauma, anxiety and depression. She may use client-centred conversation to build safety and trust. Where appropriate, she can include trauma-focused work and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, or EMDR, to address distressing memories.

Her background includes three years working in therapeutic roles supporting people with a wide range of concerns. She helps people with relationship strain, self-esteem difficulties, and complex losses such as abandonment or issues linked to adoption and foster care.

Rebecca also works with people facing long-term health challenges, caring responsibilities, body image worries, and neurodiversity-related concerns including autism and Asperger syndrome. She describes her style as empathic and non-judgemental, and she aims to tailor sessions to the person in front of her.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. In practice this means the counsellor reflects what the client says, asks gentle questions, and helps the person find their own solutions; it is often used for anxiety, low mood and relationship stress.

Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses the effects of traumatic events by helping people process difficult memories and reactions. It is commonly used for people who continue to feel overwhelmed by past experiences and want a structured way to reduce their impact.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a method aimed at reducing distress linked to specific memories. Sessions use guided procedures to help the brain reprocess troubling images and sensations so they feel less disruptive in daily life.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The counsellor will work collaboratively to understand the client's needs, goals and preferences, and discuss which methods to try first. This often starts with open conversation and a plan to review progress together.

If you are considering online therapy, check which appointment formats the counsellor currently offers before booking. Confirming options helps you match sessions to your routine. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when that suits your day.