My name is Rachel McDonald and I welcome all kinds of people to my psychotherapy and sex therapy practice.
Therapy is a wonderful opportunity to explore ourselves and our relationships, resulting in a better quality of life and more affirming connections of all kinds.
Much of my work is with experiences of marginalisation and life outside the mainstream in different ways.
I work with my clients to build trust and create a space which feels safe enough to explore whatever you need to bring to our sessions.
My practice is LGBTQIA+ and neuro-inclusive, and anti-racist.
Psychotherapy
I work gently and compassionately with individuals on a broad range of areas, including:
- Trauma
- Abuse
- Anxiety
- Dissociation
- Exploring identity
- Impact of mental and physical health problems
- Struggling to find meaning in life
Psychosexual Therapy
I also work with individuals, couples and polycules on all aspects of sex and sexuality, including:
- Wanting more satisfying experiences
- Difficulties with sex related to trauma or dysphoria
- Discrepancy of desire or other sexual issues within relationships
- Vaginismus and/or pelvic pain
- Orgasm problems
- Erectile problems
- Low desire
How I work with my clients
My practice is relational, psychodynamic, trauma-informed.
This means that I believe in the value of paying attention to what might be going on ‘under the surface’ in ourselves, in our relationships, and in social groups, as well as to our conscious thought processes and choices.
I use a biopsychosocial model for psychosexual therapy alongside a psychodynamic approach, which means we will think about your issues holistically to find the best approach for you. This could include some things to do between our sessions.
Where I am based
I offer weekly face-to-face sessions in Oxford and Faringdon, both within easy reach of Witney, Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage, Swindon and the Cotswolds.
In Oxford I work in a variety of locations including Abingdon Road and The Little Health Hub on Botley Road. In Faringdon I am based at the lovely Lotus Retreat in the town centre.