Meet The Team

Spencer Hickson
Founder & Counsellor

I am a DJ, producer and record label owner. I’m also a counsellor, providing talking therapy. Recently I completed my degree in person-centred counselling at Derby University. I live in Cheshire with my girlfriend and her three children.

My counselling placement began working at a high school in Nantwich, where I counselled many children from the ages of 12 up. At the high school in Nantwich I envisioned a future helping the children of today for a brighter tomorrow. I saw an opportunity to combine counselling and my passion for music.

During my final year of study I undertook a dissertation, researching counselling in schools. Through my research I discovered that there was a huge need for counselling with young people. My research looked at how mental health issues were growing and that something needs to be done. My research also highlighted that there isn’t enough support for young people. A lack of support means young people may have to live in silence with a problem before any help is ever offered. One 15 year old boy I worked with in his last year of high school said, he wouldn’t have got through the year without counselling.

Rowena Clayton
Chair & Counsellor

I am an experienced counsellor having qualified in 2005 with a diploma in counselling validated by Manchester uni. I have worked part time in a local high school and 6th form for the past 13 years. Here I counselled young people from the age of 11 to 18. Also, I have a background in Education having graduated from Lancaster uni with a BSc hons Degree in psychology. This was in 1984 and was followed by a PGCE in post 16 education in 1989.

I teach counselling at Cheshire College South and West. This includes levels 2 & 3 (part time) and levels 4,5 and 6 (full time). I teach the BSc hons degree in person centred counselling. My passion is for working with young people in schools and being able to offer a therapeutic relationship in which a young person can feel listened to, accepted and also valued. I believe in the ethos of stepping stones and look forward to seeing the positive impact it can have on young people’s lives.

Chelsea Garnett
Counsellor & Treasurer

I am a qualified experienced person centred counsellor. I’ve a wealth of experience in working with children and young people aged 4+. My services include one to one counselling, creative therapies, educational workshops and also support groups. Frequently, I lease with schools, agencies and other support services, which support children and young people in the community. My experience includes working with:

Abuse
Depression
Anxiety
Bereavement
Eating Disorders
Loss
Divorce
Self Harm
Isolation
Relationships
Suicidal thoughts
Abuse, Illness
Anger
Other Social, Emotional and Mental Health issues.

I also have worked for The Dove Service which is a Bereavement and Loss Charity as a project worker in the Crewe and Nantwich area and have extensive experience with bereavement and Loss. In my private practice I see clients who have self referred or who have been referred by recommendation, a school, or professional.

I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I am bound by their framework for ethics and good practise. I attend workshops and training to improve my knowledge and skills and keep up-to-date with procedures of practise. My ethos is to be able to make a difference in people lives.

Joanne Richardson
Counsellor & Safeguarding

I qualified as a counsellor in the Person Centred Approach in 2004 at the University of Manchester. This followed ten years of teaching psychology in the FE sector. I have a BSc Hons in Psychology from Lancaster University and a PGCFE teaching qualification. Since qualifying as a counsellor I joined the counsellor training team at South Cheshire College. Within a few years I moved from teaching both Psychology and Counselling to also teaching counselling levels 2 through to level 6.

As well as my training role I also have a private practice offering personal therapy and supervision. This service is available to qualified and student counsellors. I am passionate about counselling and in particular counselling for young people. A chance to access counselling at a young age can be life changing. It can also open the possibility for seeking further help later in life if the need arises. I am honoured to join Inner Trust and look forward to the journey ahead.

Rachael Cole
Safeguarding Lead

Rachel has a well-developed knowledge and experience of health and social care services. Rachel’s experience spans both clinical professional and managerial roles. She established the InSafeHands business in 2009.

She has developed this business to a high standard of service delivery and with high care standards. This has led the business to achieve a CQC rating of GOOD. She has a very “hands on” and inclusive leadership style and is always on hand to support her staff.