Rachel Hardyman

I currently have availability for both online/telephone and in-person sessions, depending on your location and preference.

Each session is 50 minutes.

Tuesday and Wednesday I am unavailable, however I am flexible with other days and times.

If your child is struggling, feeling overwhelmed, or finding it hard to talk about what’s going on, therapy can offer them a safe space to breathe.  I offer a calm, supportive space where young people can talk openly about what they’re going through, in a way that feels safe, respectful, and completely their own. Adolescence can be a confusing and emotionally intense time, and therapy can feel uncertain — but your young person is worthy of a space where they are listened to, valued, and understood.

(Please note - young person to be aged 13 years and above to access remote sessions)

My approach is person‑centred, which means I follow your child’s pace and interests. I don’t push them to talk before they’re ready or tell them how they “should” feel. Instead, I build trust through genuine connection, curiosity, and steady presence. This helps them explore their thoughts and emotions in a way that feels manageable and empowering. Many young people describe a sense of relief in having a space where they don’t have to perform or pretend.

Remote sessions make support more accessible and comfortable, especially for teens who feel anxious about new environments or prefer talking from a familiar space. It also gives them a sense of ownership and privacy over their therapeutic journey.

As a parent, you want to know your child is safe, supported, and not facing things alone. Reaching out for therapy is a courageous step — and it shows how deeply you care. Even if you’re unsure where to begin, you’re welcome to get in touch so we can explore what your teen needs and how I can help.

Initial contact- Following your first contact I will ask for details as to your initial concerns for your child.  Once reviewed we will arrange a phone call to discuss next steps.

Assessment-  This will be completed over the phone and includes a risk assessment and completion of appropriate outcome scoring tools.

Contracting- Before sessions begin, I will ask you as parent/carer to complete and sign a counselling agreement.  This helps to provide a transparent, safe and professional approach.  (A separate contract will be completed with the individual child/young person in their first session.)

If you are happy to proceed, session payment will be requested on confirmation of the first session, to be paid at least 48hrs prior to this.

I currently have availability for in-person sessions within a therapy room in Chorley.

Tuesday and Wednesday I am unavailable, however I can be flexible with other days/times.

If your child is struggling with big feelings, challenging behaviours, or difficulties in their relationships, you’re not alone — and there is support that can help. I offer a warm, calm space where children and parents can begin to understand what’s happening underneath the behaviour and strengthen the connection that sits at the heart of every family.

Importance of Play

Play is a child's natural language, where toys act as words and play acts as expression . It helps children process trauma, express hidden emotions, and build healthy coping skills in a safe space. Through delivering a non-judgemental, compassionate and child led approach, children are able to gain a better understanding of their world and learn to communicate better with those around them.

Many children show their distress through behaviour. They may act out, withdraw, become anxious, or seem overwhelmed by emotions they can’t yet put into words. My approach is gentle, child‑centred, and grounded in attachment. I help children feel safe, valued, and understood, using play, creativity, and relational exploration to help them make sense of their inner world.

Alongside this, I offer Parent‑Child Attachment Play sessions (PCAP) — a supportive, evidence‑informed approach designed to deepen the bond between you and your child. PCAP gives you simple, playful ways to reconnect, reduce conflict, and create moments of safety and joy together. It’s not about correcting behaviour; it’s about strengthening the relationship so your child feels more secure, settled, and able to thrive.

Please note- Child therapy sessions and PCAP sessions can be accessed separately, both are not necessarily needed together and this can be discussed at assessment.

Initial contact- Following your first contact I will ask for further details as to the concerns for your child. Once reviewed, I will arrange a hone call to discuss support further.

Assessment- This will be done by phone and will include a risk assessment and completing appropriate outcome scoring tools.  

Contracting- I will ask you as parent/carer to complete and sign a counselling agreement to ensure transparency, safety and professional standards.  

I currently have availability for online/telephone or in-person sessions, depending on your location and preference.

Tuesday and Wednesday I am unavailable, however I can be flexible with other days/times.

When life feels heavy or confusing, it’s easy to believe you should cope alone. But you don’t have to. Person‑centred therapy offers a calm, accepting space where you can breathe, speak freely, and be met with genuine warmth and understanding.

You set the pace. You choose what feels safe to explore. My role is to walk alongside you with empathy and honesty, trusting that you already hold the wisdom you need. Many people feel relief simply from being heard without judgement, pressure, or expectation.

If you’re longing for change but unsure where to begin, reaching out is an act of courage — and you deserve support as you take that first step.

If you’re curious about starting therapy and you’d like to explore whether this feels right for you, you’re welcome to reach out for an initial conversation.

Therapy that centres you and what matters most in your life.

You might be navigating stress, loss, trauma, relationship patterns, or simply a sense that something isn’t quite right. A person‑centred approach offers a supportive space to understand yourself more deeply and reconnect with what you need.

I won’t tell you who you should be or how you should feel. Instead, I offer empathy, honesty, and a steady presence so you can explore your experiences safely and at your own pace. People often tell me they appreciate having a space where they don’t have to perform, explain, or hold everything together.

Our work is collaborative. You bring your lived experience; I bring a compassionate, attuned relationship that helps you make sense of it.

Before our first session I will ask you to complete a brief assessment form to provide me with an understanding of your current situation and reason for seeking therapy.

Within our first session we will review this assessment alongside completing our working agreement, which will provide the foundations of a safe, ethical and professional therapeutic space.

I currently have availability for both online or in-person sessions, depending on your location and preference.

Tuesday and Wednesday I am unavailable, however I can be flexible on other days/times.

Supervision- A collaborative space to explore, reflect and grow as a practitioner.

I am a Person‑Centred counsellor and qualified clinical supervisor with extensive experience working across the voluntary sector, education and community settings. My clinical background includes supporting children, young people and adults with a wide range of emotional, behavioural and relational difficulties, and this informs the depth and sensitivity I bring to supervision.

My supervision practice is grounded in the core conditions of empathy, authenticity and unconditional positive regard. I offer a reflective, ethically‑attuned space, with a gentle blend of creative approaches to support deeper exploration and fresh perspectives. 

My approach is collaborative, supporting supervisees to build confidence, deepen self‑awareness and sustain themselves in their practice.  Practitioners can openly reflect and explore their client work, strengthen their therapeutic presence and remain connected to their professional values

I have experience supervising trainees, newly‑qualified and experienced practitioners. I also hold specialist training in online and telephone supervision. My aim is to provide a supportive, containing environment that promotes safe, ethical and relationally‑focused therapeutic work.

Testimonials

'Thank you for all your care, empathy and support over the past year, you've helped me survive and flourish!' - P

'Thank you for all of your support and calmness, it has been a delight to work with you. How insightful and gentle you are, amazing' - T

'Thank you for all your support and being the calm anchor throughout the stormy times' - I

'A really big thank you for all your help, patience and support' - E

Following your initial enquiry, I offer a free 30‑minute consultation, held online or by telephone. This introductory meeting provides an opportunity for us to discuss your supervision needs, explore our respective ways of working and consider whether we are a good professional fit.

The consultation is designed to support you in making an informed decision when choosing a supervisor. It allows space for questions, expectations and any practical considerations, helping us establish whether and how we may proceed together.