About ME & My Practice

My Story

My story begins in Brazil, a beautiful and diverse part of the world. Growing up in a country with so many cultures, races and lifestyles, I learned to appreciate diversity and to be accepting of all people.

From an early age I began to make meaningful connections with creative people and processes, both at a fashion atelier and in the world of theatre and performance. It was clear that everything to do with Creativity held me in fascination.

I made my way to the UK in the year 2000 and found myself taking on jobs that allowed my English to flourish.

A career in the financial sector followed, but after ten years in a corporate environment whose values I didn’t share; I found the promise of fulfilment in my path when I embarked in my studies to become a Counsellor.

Working as a Counsellor was from the start something very dear to me – My Call – but then I had an epiphany; I realised that I could incorporate my professional counselling skills in the service of creative individuals (Creatives) – then I was really excited!!

Creatives produce work that ignite all our senses and it gives me great pleasure to dedicate my work to the creative community.

Rafaela Nunes

Founder
Counsellor (MBACP)
Creative Collaborator

Rafaela Nunes, Private Counsellor, Private therapy, mental wellbeing, creative therapy

My Story

threadUp

What is Therapy that supports Creativity?

When creativity is affected by challenging times the individual may encounter barriers to their creative flow.
The creative flow or conditions for creation to take place, may be inaccessible but not diminished.
The operating belief in my practice is that the creative flow may be restored – developed – sustained.

This takes place whilst my clients are given the space to explore their challenges & difficulties, gain awareness of their own processes, develop techniques that works for them and create choices that are, ultimately aligned with their natural creative flow.

Creativity

 

The ability of expressing: emotions, experiences, feelings, beliefs, ideas, notions and all that is threaded to one’s core into any medium of choice:
Language, music, typography, culinary, literature, visual arts, performing arts, couture, design, sculpting, architecture, digital content, programming, photography and LIFE ITSELF.”

What is Therapy that supports Creativity?

When creativity is affected by challenging times the individual may encounter barriers to their creative flow.
The creative flow or conditions for creation to take place, may be inaccessible but not diminished.
The operating belief in my practice is that the creative flow may be restored – developed – sustained.

This takes place whilst my clients are given the space to explore their challenges & difficulties, gain awareness of their own processes, develop techniques that works for them and create choices that are, ultimately aligned with their natural creative flow.

Creativity

The ability of expressing: emotions, experiences, feelings, beliefs, ideas, notions and all that is threaded to one’s core into any medium of choice:
Language, music, typography, culinary, literature, visual arts, performing arts, couture, design, sculpting, architecture, digital content, programming, photography and LIFE ITSELF.”

Qualifications

I undertake regular supervision in compliance with the BACP’s standards.

Experience

42nd Street

As well as in my practice I have been Counselling at 42nd Street, a Manchester based Mental Health Charity for Young People.

There I support Young People with their Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing.

In addition 42nd Street gives me an opportunity to run Creative & Therapeutic groups for Young People and to develop as a professional through expert training.

 

www.42ndstreet.org.uk

Women's Shelter

My first placement as a Counsellor was at a women’s shelter. There, I had the opportunity to work long term with clients, which is something quite rare in the third sector these days. In this setting, I gained experience working with individuals affected by abandonment, isolation, homelessness, abuse, addiction, loss and grief, low self esteem, and trauma.

LGBT Foundation

I volunteered as a Counsellor with LGBT for two years between 2016 – 2018. There, I had the opportunity of working with clients from LGBT communities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and those questioning their sexual or gender identity) and BAME communities (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) affected by all sorts of difficulties. I gained solid experience in the LGBT field which informs my work still today.

I was part of the Wellbeing Team, with over thirty mental health professionals using a variety of therapeutic approaches. This was so valuable to us all because the team shared different experiences in the work with clients, and this in turn enhanced our reflective practice. We also received excellent CPD (Continuous Personal Development) at LGBT.

www.lgbt.foundation

Founder of threadUp CIC

This Community Interest Company is currently in its very first stages and is seeking funding to establish itself as a platform for mental health awareness through creative projects. 

This may present as Art, but threadUp is also here to explore our ideas about mental health and creative expression in our communities, cross-culturally and internationally. 

We believe these explorations may lead us to a common universal language of WELL-BEING.

symptoms of anxiety, mental health, symptoms of stress

You can find
my Practice
just outside Manchester City Centre

Nestled inside the Bridge 5 Mill Centre for Sustainable living in Ancoats, the threadUp Practice is a calm and inviting space for my clients.