Rea Pearson

I am a professionally qualified and registered counsellor and supervisor, and an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I did my therapy training at the Iron Mill Institute in Exeter, completing a Certificate in Counselling (90 hours), followed by an Advanced Diploma in Counselling (450 hours), accredited by the BACP.

In 2013 I started working as a volunteer therapist for a charity called The Quiet Mind, based in Exmouth, before setting up my own private practice the following year. I am continually involved in further training and have a Certificate in Marriage and Couples Counselling, and another in The Sexual Relationship from the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships in London. I also have a certificate in working with LGBT and other diversities, and am a member of Pink Therapy, the UK's largest independent therapy organisation working with gender and sexual diversity issues. I work with a diverse range of clients from all different backgrounds, and am listed as a "kink aware" therapist.

I have always been a creative person and grew up wanting to be an illustrator. After A-levels, I completed a one-year Art Foundation course at Exeter College, before graduating with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design from the University of Plymouth. I began to have health problems while I was at University, and was unable to go straight into a full-time job. For several years, I worked part-time as a musician and songwriter gigging all over the UK. I had some great experiences with my band, getting to perform on TV and radio, and recording songs.

My dad passed away suddenly in 2005 and I spent a lot of time helping out with the family publishing business. Around this time, I began to gain better control of my ongoing health issues, and became able to manage longer hours. I took on a part-time job at the RD&E hospital, working in the haemodialysis unit. It was while working for the NHS that I realised how much I love helping people, and wanted to train to have a more hands-on role in their healthcare and mental wellbeing.

When I'm not working or studying, I play in bands and enjoy going to watch films, live music, live comedy, and being in tv audiences. I also particularly enjoy playing escape rooms, as I love solving puzzles. In 1991 I was fortunate enough to be selected for a Children's ITV game show called Knightmare, which now has cult status. In 2017 I was lucky enough to beat 40,000 other applicants who applied for Series 11 of ITV's popular tea-time quiz show, The Chase. My episode was aired in September 2017 and although I didn't win any money, I had an amazing time being a contestant. Bradley Walsh and the Dark Destroyer were both absolutely lovely people.

Rea with Bradley Walsh on ITV's popular quiz show 'The Chase', first aired in September 2017

Above: Rea with Taylor Swift. Below: Rea with Alex Zane.