Psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy for adults in Haywards Heath, Mid Sussex and online across the UK.
I’m Rachel Starkings, a BACP-registered therapist who can offer you a safe and non-judgmental space to explore whatever it is that feels difficult. You might be experiencing anxiety, depression, grief or relationship difficulties. You may be wrestling with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis or other long-term illness. You may have a history of trauma or neurodivergence. Or, you might feel like you’ve lost yourself and aren’t sure where to go next.
Rachel Starkings, MBACP – BACP registered · British Psychological Society member · Psychodynamic therapist
Whatever it is that’s brought you here, therapy gives you the space to talk honestly and openly about what’s happening. We will work together to help you explore your current feelings in the context of your life and your history.
A Safe, Thoughtful Space to Understand What You Are Feeling
You’ve probably been looking for a therapist because something feels stuck, or there’s too much to process by yourself. You may know exactly what the difficulty is, or you may just have a sense that you don’t feel like yourself anymore. Therapy is an opportunity to work through these experiences with someone who won’t judge and can offer a non-biased space.
I’m a psychodynamic therapist, which means I work with people to understand how their current experiences have been shaped by their history. People often work with me to understand the ‘why’ and to go beneath the surface to get a better understanding of themselves and their feelings.
I see therapy as a puzzle. You have all the pieces, and I’m here to help you see how they all fit together.
What Therapy Services I Offer
There is no right or wrong reason to start therapy. You deserve to be listened to, regardless of what’s happening. I work with people across a range of experiences, including the following:
Grief Therapy
Support after death, change, illness, relationship loss or life disruption.
Trauma Therapy
Informed exploration of experiences that still feel present or unresolved.
Anxiety Therapy
A space to understand what the anxiety is actually about.
Depression Therapy
An honest exploration of your sadness and disconnect.
Cancer and Long-Term Illness Therapy
Therapy for the emotional impact of cancer and long-term illness.
Relationship Therapy
A place for you to explore your relationship histories, with partners, family and friends.
Neurodivergence Therapy
A neuro-affirming space for identity, masking and overwhelm.
Loss of Identity
Support for when you feel like you can’t connect to yourself anymore.
Psychodynamic Therapy in Haywards Heath
As a psychodynamic therapist, I work with you to understand what’s going on beneath the surface. We can think about whatever it is that’s bringing you to therapy, while using your history and unique experiences to understand what situations mean to you. We explore the reasons why you might feel like things keep happening to you, or relationships keep feeling the same. By giving yourself time to understand your life in context, you can then feel more equipped about how you respond and where you go next.
I’m not here to judge or to give you specific answers. Instead, I provide a space to be honest and unpack the things you may have been carrying for a long time.
Why Choose Me?
A Deeper Way of Working
We will work together to understand not only what’s happening for you now, but where it comes from and how to make sense of it. By exploring your patterns, experiences and relationships, you gain a better understanding of what’s happening beneath the surface.
A Warm, Human Therapeutic Relationship
It’s normal for therapy to feel strange at first, opening up to a stranger is a difficult thing to do. I offer a space where you don’t have to perform, know the right thing to say, or even know where to start.
Experience with Grief, Illness and Identity Change
I work with people who have experienced grief, cancer and other long-term illnesses, along with people who have lost a sense of who they are. These experiences impact the way you relate to yourself and others. Therapy gives you the space to share your feelings honestly, without pressure to say or do what others may want you to.
Face-to-Face Therapy in Haywards Heath
I offer face-to-face therapy from a private consulting room in central Haywards Heath, with online therapy also available for clients across the UK.
The Haywards Heath practice is accessible for people travelling from Lindfield, Cuckfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint and the wider Mid Sussex area. There is parking available nearby, and the consulting room is within reach of local public transport routes.
To protect client privacy, I provide the full address and directions once an introductory consultation has been confirmed.
No Pressure To Decide Straight Away
I know that starting therapy can feel daunting. If you’ve never had therapy before, you may not know what to expect. If you have had therapy before, starting with someone new can bring its own uncertainty.
I offer an initial introductory phone call first so you can get a sense of who I am and how I work. There’s no pressure to decide straight away if you want to go ahead. Instead, it gives us both a chance to make sure working together feels like the right fit.
Fees and Getting Started
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, so the first stage is simply a free introductory phone call.
- Arrange a free 30-minute call – This gives us a chance to talk about what you are looking for, for you to ask questions, and for both of us to think about whether working together feels right.
- Decide whether you would like to begin – There is no pressure to decide straight away. You are welcome to take time to think about what feels comfortable for you.
- Begin regular sessions – Ongoing therapy sessions are £60. Payment is made by bank transfer before the start of each session.
A limited number of reduced-fee spaces may be available for clients who would like to work together but find cost a barrier.
It’s not what’s wrong with you, it’s what’s happened to you
Start your journey by getting in touch with the form below
Alternatively, you can email me directly via RStarkingsTherapy@gmail.com or call me on 07527 955 498.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Haywards Heath Therapy FAQs
I work from a private consulting room in central Haywards Heath. I also have access to a therapy room in Lindfield. To protect the privacy and discretion of all clients, I provide the full address and directions personally once an initial consultation has been confirmed.
Yes, there is easy-to-access parking available near the consulting room.
I want your arrival to feel as straightforward and calm as possible, so we can discuss the practical details before your first face-to-face session.
I work with adults on a wide variety of concerns, with a particular focus on grief, loss of identity, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I also offer a neuro-affirming space for neurodivergent clients (including those with ADHD and Autism) who are looking for specialised therapy in the Mid Sussex area.
I offer both face-to-face therapy in Haywards Heath and online therapy for clients across the UK.
Online therapy can be particularly helpful for people with long-term health conditions, chronic or severe illness, mobility limitations, or those who are unable to mix in public. For some people, speaking from home feels more manageable and accessible.
Face-to-face therapy can also offer a quiet, neutral space away from everyday distractions. We can talk about what feels most suitable for you during an introductory call.
You can start by booking a free 30-minute introductory phone call.
This gives us a chance to talk about what you are looking for, for you to ask any questions, and for both of us to think about whether working together feels like the right fit. There is no pressure to decide straight away.
The first session is a gentle introduction to the therapy process.
We may talk about what has brought you to therapy, what is happening for you at the moment, and any relevant parts of your history. You do not need to arrive with everything worked out or know exactly where to begin.
It is also a chance for you to get a better sense of how I work and whether you feel comfortable continuing. Therapy works best when the relationship feels safe enough for you to be honest, so there is no pressure to have everything decided immediately.
Yes. My Haywards Heath therapy room is centrally located in Mid Sussex, making it accessible for clients travelling from Lindfield, Cuckfield, Burgess Hill and the surrounding areas including Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint.
Yes. The consulting room is within walking distance of central Haywards Heath, with access to local public transport routes nearby.
If you are travelling by train, bus or taxi, I can provide more specific directions once your first appointment has been arranged.