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I am a professionally qualified, registered, and insured counsellor, 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
Rea with Taylor Swift (above) and Alex Zane (below)
