Counsellor profile
Rines Shanthakumar, BACP
Counsellor - stress and relationships
See online counselling options- Attachment work
- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practice
About Rines
Counsellor and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) member, Rines Shanthakumar has three years' experience working with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, depression and coping with life changes. He sees people from a wide range of backgrounds and uses different therapeutic approaches to help them talk through what is causing them distress.
Rines describes his work as integrative. He draws on Attachment-Based, Client-Centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Existential and Mindfulness approaches. Sessions focus on what matters most to the person in front of him and on practical ways to manage upsetting thoughts and feelings.
He is based in the United Kingdom and works with English and Tamil speakers. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is noted as his professional body. He also mentions experience with people who identify as LGBTQ+, and those who are neurodivergent or living with long-term health conditions.
In sessions Rines aims to build an open, respectful working relationship. He uses listening, reflective questioning and structured techniques from CBT and mindfulness when these suit the issue. He also attends to relationship patterns and attachment concerns that may be shaping current problems.
Typical issues Rines addresses include low mood, panic and ongoing worry, confidence and identity questions, communication problems and the stresses of major life changes. He also notes work with concerns such as body image, addiction, chronic illness, codependency and separation.
To begin he asks people to use the service booking route to complete a short matching questionnaire and then arrange a first session. Fees vary with location and sessions run through a cancellable subscription system.
How his therapeutic approaches work remotely
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in close relationships and how early bonds affect feelings and behaviour now. It can help people who notice repeated difficulties in trust, closeness or managing separation.Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what someone says. It helps people feel understood, speak openly and find their own solutions to problems such as low self-esteem or relationship strain.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Rines will discuss what helps most and try different ways of working based on the client’s needs, goals and preferences. That choice is made together rather than imposed.
The profile does not specify session formats, so please confirm current options before booking. In general, remote sessions can make it easier to fit counselling around work, family and other commitments. They can also allow quieter check-ins when being on camera is not needed, or shorter conversations that suit a busy day. Many people find online sessions let them continue therapy without long travel, while still working directly with a registered professional.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English, Tamil
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, low self-esteem, depression and coping with life changes, plus related concerns such as body image, addiction and chronic illness.
What is his therapeutic style?
He describes an integrative, client-centred approach that mixes listening and reflective work with structured techniques from CBT and mindfulness.
How much experience does he have?
He has three years' experience working as a counsellor.
Which professional body is he a member of?
He is a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and Tamil.
Does he work with international clients?
He accepts clients from outside the United Kingdom and notes he works with people worldwide.
What formats are used for sessions?
The original profile does not list session formats. Please confirm the current session options before booking.
How do I start a first session?
Select the 'See online counselling options' button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule your first session. Fees vary with location and use a cancellable subscription.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.