Abbie Challen

Hi, I'm Abbie. I’m a qualified and insured Humanistic Integrative Counsellor based in Bristol, with over 9 years of experience in the Mental Health and Wellbeing sector. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and work in accordance with their ethical framework.

Much of my experience has been in supporting individuals living with Eating Disorders and Addiction, and I’ve worked across a range of settings including residential treatment centres, rehabilitation services, and mental health charities. These years have deepened my understanding of the many ways in which people can struggle - and the many paths to healing.

I offer a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. My aim is to help you better understand yourself, navigate life’s challenges, and to feel more connected to your own inner wisdom. Together, we will look at your experiences through a curious and kind lens, always at a pace that feels right for you.

As a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor, I draw from a range of approaches including Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, CBT and Transactional Analysis, depending on what you need at any given time. Some days, you may just want to feel heard. Other days, you might need more active strategies or a gentle challenge. Our work together will be collaborative, flexible, and always grounded in trust.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is key and rooted in a strong, secure connection where you can feel seen and supported. My clients often describe me as warm, authentic and easy to talk to. I genuinely see it as a privilege to hold space for people, and I believe I bring that sense of respect and care into every minute of our time together.

Ultimately, my hope is that you to leave our time together feeling accepted, clearer-headed and understood - and to know that change is possible.

If you would like to know more or to arrange a free 30 minute initial consultation, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.

I am a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor with over 10 years of experience in the Mental Health and Wellbeing field, specialising in supporting clients with Eating Disorders and Addiction. I am a registered member of BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) and thereby abide by a strict code of ethics and conduct.

I provide a safe, warm and non-judgemental space for you to unpack and understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviours within. I work integratively, which means that I intuitively adapt my way of working to support you and your needs as best as I possibly can. I may draw from approaches such as CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic or parts work, to ensure you’re getting what you need and receiving a comprehensive, well-balanced kind of care. This means that sometimes we are simply holding space for hearing your process and other times we may be exploring tools or techniques that can support you outside of the session. Either way, much of the practice is about guiding you to your own solutions, aiding self-exploration and helping you by utilizing the strong, secure relationship we will develop.

Ultimately, the heart of my practice is ensuring you feel understood, accepted and safe. I work on a relational level, so you should leave feeling connected, seen and less alone. I believe it is a privilege to hold a safe space for you and believe this is translated in a sincere passion for our work. It is because of this philosophy that my practice has a holistic and restorative energy.

I would describe myself as warm, congruent, honest and supportive. At times, I may offer gentle challenge to aid self-exploration. The practice is tailored to suit every client’s needs, but everyone should leave feeling accepted, clearer-headed and understood.

Eating disorders and Addiction

When it comes to Eating Disorders and Addiction specifically, you can expect the same foundation but with additional Psychological and clinical experience to support you along the way. I have previously worked for the SWEDA and in residential treatment centres for ED’s and Addiction, so I am familiar with the unique complexities and challenges of navigating and living with these conditions.

I believe that we develop ways of coping, both internal and external, and that these can become highly sophisticated, sometimes automatic. Together, we will deepen your understanding of your coping mechanisms, meeting them with compassion and non-judgement and hopefully, explore ways of gently letting them go, if you wish.

If it feels helpful for you, we can explore a multi-disciplinary approach, where we can involve other trusted medical professionals such as GP's and dieticians involved in our work, to ensure you're getting a comprehensive level of care and safety during our time together. This is not compulsory, but is an option if that feels helpful to your recovery.

If you would like to know more or would like to book in a free initial consultation, please get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.

During this time I can hopefully hear a bit more about what's brought you to Counselling and make sure I'm the right kind of support for you. I can also explain more about my practice/way of working to make sure we're a good fit.

Please email me via abbiecoach@gmail.com to book this in. I look forward to hearing from you.