Rachel Challans

Availability

I currently have availability for new clients and offer both online and face-to-face sessions.

I understand that fitting therapy around work, family, and other commitments can sometimes be difficult, so I aim to offer flexible appointment times where possible.

Please get in touch to discuss my current availability and we can explore what might work best for you.

Many people experiencing intrusive thoughts, OCD, or anxiety feel isolated, frightened, and unsure who they can talk to. Often the thoughts feel disturbing, confusing, or completely at odds with who they are as a person. Some people spend years keeping them secret because they fear being judged, misunderstood, or seen differently if they spoke about them out loud.

I offer a grounded, compassionate, and non-judgemental space where these thoughts can be explored openly and safely. My approach is person-centred, meaning I work alongside you to understand your experiences rather than telling you what to think or how you should feel.

I have experience supporting people struggling with intrusive thoughts, obsessive thinking, anxiety, shame, and self-doubt. One of the most important things I want clients to know is that uncomfortable intrusive thoughts are not a reflection of their character, values, or personality.

Many people find relief simply from being able to speak openly about what has been happening and discovering they are not alone.

Intrusive thoughts can take many forms and often focus on the things we care about most. They may involve relationships, sexuality, harm, morality, contamination, identity, or fears about who we are as people.

Many people find themselves constantly analysing thoughts, checking feelings, seeking reassurance, reviewing memories, or trying to gain certainty about something that feels impossible to resolve. This can become exhausting and leave people feeling trapped in cycles of anxiety and self-doubt.

For some, the fear and shame surrounding intrusive thoughts can become overwhelming, leaving them feeling isolated, hopeless, or afraid to seek support.

I have a good understanding of the relationship between intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and OCD. Many people find that learning these experiences are recognised and well-understood patterns brings a huge sense of relief. What feels deeply personal, shameful, or unique is often far more common than people realise.

Nothing is too embarrassing or difficult to bring into the therapy room.

I offer a free 15-minute consultation before beginning therapy. This gives us the opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy and whether I feel like the right fit for you.

Many people arrive at their first session feeling nervous about talking about their thoughts. Some have spent months or years keeping them secret because they are worried about how they might be perceived.

There is no pressure to share everything straight away. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

The first session is an opportunity to begin understanding what has been happening, explore the impact it is having on your life, and discuss what you hope to gain from therapy. My aim is to create a space where you feel safe enough to talk openly, ask questions, and begin making sense of your experiences without fear of judgement.

Have you experienced or are you curently questioning if you are experiencing, Toxic Relationship Dynamics, Coercive Control, Trauma Bonding, Domestic Abuse, Co Dependence, Intimate Partner Violence? Are you feeling confused?

Many of the people I work with have experienced relationships that leave them feeling confused, self-doubting, anxious, or disconnected from their own judgement. You may have experienced emotional abuse, coercive control, manipulation, or patterns that have gradually eroded your confidence and sense of self.

In my work, I combine a person-centred approach with psychoeducation to help you make sense of what has happened. This can include understanding trauma bonding, the cycle of abuse, and patterns of codependency in a way that is non-judgemental and not pathologising. Many clients find that simply beginning to understand these dynamics can bring clarity and relief, helping them move away from self-blame and towards a more compassionate understanding of themselves.

This is an area I have particular experience and specialism in, and I offer a grounded space where you can explore your experiences safely, rebuild trust in your own perceptions, and begin to reconnect with your boundaries, needs, and sense of self.

My approach is person-centred, warm, and grounded. I offer a space where you do not need to justify your experiences or convince me of what happened.

In our sessions can help you understand patterns within relationships, how these cycles may be affecting you and your relationships,  helping you reconnect with your own needs grow healthy boundaries, and develop greater confidence in your thoughts, feelings, and decisions. 

First session

The first session is a chance for us to begin understanding what has brought you to therapy and what you are hoping for from support. There is no expectation to share everything at once, and you do not need to have the “right words” or a clear account of what has happened.

For many people I work with in this area, there can be uncertainty, self-doubt, or confusion about past or current relationships. We will go at a pace that feels manageable for you, focusing on what feels most important to begin with.

I may ask some gentle questions to help us build a picture of your experiences and the impact they have had on you. This can include exploring relationship patterns, emotional responses, and how things are affecting you now.

My aim in the first session is to offer a steady, grounded space where you can begin to feel heard and understood, without pressure or judgement, and to consider together how ongoing therapy might support you.

I currently have some availability for new clients . 

Sessions offered via:

In person, 

video call, 

telephone call

I also offer some flexibility with days and times. 

I am a BACP registered psychotherapist offering person-centred counselling and psychotherapy for adults. I provide a warm, grounded, and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about whatever is troubling you.

People come to therapy for many different reasons. Some are struggling with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, addiction, sexual concerns, or the impact of childhood experiences. Others may simply feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves and want a space to better understand what is happening in their lives.

My approach is rooted in the belief that meaningful change happens when we feel genuinely heard, understood, and accepted. Rather than telling you what to do, I work alongside you to help you make sense of your experiences, understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop greater clarity, self-awareness, and self-trust.

I have extensive experience working with domestic abuse, coercive control, relationship difficulties, intrusive thoughts, addiction, sexual wellbeing, and the impact of difficult life experiences. I also work in a sex-positive, kink-aware, LGBTQ+ affirming, and non-judgemental way.

Many of the people I work with come to therapy carrying things they have struggled to talk about elsewhere. Whatever brings you here, you will be met with warmth, compassion, honesty, and respect.

Many people come to therapy feeling alone with what they are experiencing. They may be struggling with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, difficult relationships, low self-esteem, addiction, sexual concerns, the impact of childhood experiences, or simply a sense that something in their life no longer feels manageable.

I offer a grounded, compassionate, and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about whatever is troubling you. Many of the people I work with come to therapy carrying things they have never spoken about before, worried about how they will be perceived, or concerned that what they are experiencing is somehow "too much" to share.

My approach is person-centred, meaning I believe you are the expert on your own life. Rather than telling you what to do, I work alongside you to help you make sense of your experiences, understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop greater clarity, self-awareness, and self-trust.

I have particular experience working with domestic abuse, coercive control, intrusive thoughts, relationship difficulties, sexual wellbeing, addiction, and the impact of childhood experiences. At times I may draw on psychoeducation where helpful, but the therapeutic relationship remains at the heart of my work.

Nothing is too embarrassing, too complicated, too disturbing, too big, or too small to bring into the therapy room.

My First Session

I offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss what brings you to therapy and whether I feel like the right fit for you.

Full therapy sessions are 50 minutes.

The first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another and explore what has brought you to therapy at this point in your life. There is no pressure to share everything straight away, and we will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

We will discuss confidentiality, any questions you may have about therapy, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I will also explain my approach and how I work, giving you the opportunity to decide whether you feel comfortable moving forward.

Some basic information and contact details will be taken, but the main focus is on creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and able to begin exploring whatever is on your mind.

Availability

I currently have availability for new clients and offer both online and face-to-face sessions.

I understand that reaching out for support can feel difficult, particularly when discussing personal, sexual, or relationship concerns. I aim to offer flexible appointment times where possible and provide a confidential, non-judgemental space to explore whatever is troubling you.

Please get in touch to discuss my current availability and we can explore what might work best for you.

Pornography use, compulsive sexual behaviour, sexual wellbeing, and relationship difficulties are specialist areas of my practice. Alongside ongoing additional psychosexual training, I have extensive experience supporting people who may be struggling with shame, secrecy, relationship difficulties, or patterns of behaviour they do not fully understand.

Many people struggling with pornography use, compulsive sexual behaviour, or intimacy difficulties carry a great deal of shame, secrecy, and self-criticism. Often people have spent months or years trying to manage these concerns alone, feeling unable to talk openly about what is happening or worried about how they might be judged.

I offer a grounded, compassionate, and non-judgemental space where these issues can be explored openly and honestly. My approach is person-centred, meaning I work alongside you to understand your experiences rather than focusing solely on symptoms or behaviours.

A significant part of my work focuses on pornography use, compulsive sexual behaviour, sexual wellbeing, and relationship difficulties. Rather than simply looking at the behaviour itself, I help clients explore what may sit beneath it, including loneliness, attachment patterns, low self-esteem, anxiety, difficulties with intimacy, unmet emotional needs, or past experiences that continue to have an impact today.

Many people find that as understanding grows, shame begins to reduce, allowing space for greater self-awareness, choice, and meaningful change.

You may find yourself repeatedly returning to pornography, cam sites, paid sexual services, or other sexual behaviours despite the impact on your relationships, confidence, wellbeing, or finances. You may feel stuck in a cycle you do not fully understand, frustrated by repeated attempts to stop, reduce, or gain control.

Others may be struggling with intimacy, sexual confidence, desire, sexual shame, or difficulties within relationships. Some people feel disconnected from themselves or uncertain about how to build healthy and fulfilling intimate relationships.

My approach is not about judgement, criticism, or labelling. Instead, we work towards understanding what the behaviour or difficulty may be communicating. Together we can explore patterns, emotional needs, relationships, attachment, and the factors that may be contributing to what is happening.

Many people are relieved to discover they are not alone and that the issues they are experiencing are often far more common than they realise. Nothing is too embarrassing, too personal, or too difficult to bring into the therapy room.

I offer a free 15-minute consultation before beginning therapy. This gives us an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy and whether I feel like the right fit for you.

Many people arrive at their first session feeling nervous about talking about sexual concerns, pornography use, or behaviours they may have kept hidden from others. There is no pressure to share everything immediately, and we will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

The first session is an opportunity to begin understanding what has been happening, the impact it is having on your life and relationships, and what you hope to gain from therapy. My aim is to create a space where you feel able to talk openly, without fear of judgement, and begin making sense of experiences that may have felt confusing, isolating, or difficult to discuss elsewhere.