Rachel Challans

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.

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.

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.

I currently have availability within my practice.

I offer face-to-face, online, and telephone sessions. My working hours are flexible, and I understand that work, family commitments, caring responsibilities, and everyday life can sometimes make finding the right appointment time difficult. If you are unsure whether I can offer a suitable time, please feel free to get in touch.

Any planned periods of leave will be communicated well in advance.

When people come for therapy they may also be neurodivergent. For some people this can add extra barriers and may have led to struggles that a neurotypical person may not have experienced or had to deal with.

I work in a way that can help you understand yourself, make sense of your current and past life experiences, while also considering the additional layers that neurodivergence, such as ADHD and autism, can bring.

Many neurodivergent adults spend years feeling like they are somehow getting life wrong. You may have been called lazy, disorganised, too sensitive, dramatic, forgetful, or told that you just need to try harder. Over time this can take a real toll on confidence, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and the way you see yourself.

I offer a warm, non-judgemental space to explore your life experiences and make sense of things.

We can also consider how years of misunderstanding yourself may have affected your confidence, relationships, and mental wellbeing, while also looking at any issues or experiences you may be struggling with that are completely unrelated to neurodivergence.

Many people find that understanding themselves differently brings a huge sense of relief. Things that once felt like personal failings can begin to make much more sense when viewed through a neurodivergent lens.

On top of life struggles, experiences, past trauma, relationships, intimacy issues or any other issue someone may come to therapy for neurodivergence can often impact fthings further or differently. In my practice I make sure we consider this alongside whatever issues we are exploring. 

ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence affect far more than concentration, organisation, or forgetfulness. Many people struggle with overwhelm, emotional regulation, rejection sensitivity, anxiety, burnout, masking, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and feeling misunderstood by those around them.

For some, life can feel exhausting. You may find yourself constantly trying to keep up, wondering why things that seem easy for other people feel so difficult for you.

Therapy provides a space to slow things down and make sense of your experiences. Together we can explore patterns that have developed over time, understand the impact neurodivergence may have had on your life, and help you build greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and confidence in who you are.

My approach is not about trying to fix you. It is about helping you understand yourself better and work with yourself rather than against yourself.

I offer a free 15-minute consultation before beginning therapy. This gives us an opportunity to talk about what brings you to therapy, ask any questions you may have, and see whether I feel like the right fit for you.

In the first session, there is no pressure to have everything worked out or to explain your life story. We will start wherever feels most important to you.

Many neurodivergent people arrive in therapy carrying years of self-doubt, frustration, and feeling misunderstood. My role is not to judge or analyse you. It is to understand your experience, help you make sense of it, and provide a space where you can be yourself without feeling that you need to mask, explain, or justify who you are.

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.

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 everyday life 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.

Part of therapy and self understanding can happen through exploring and understanding our pasts and childhood experiences . These experiences may be very traumatic.  Some may not be traumatic and may be very positive  but still can shape how we respond or conduct ourselves in the world. 

Making sense of patterns that may have begun long before today can be helpful to understanding ourselves in the now. 

Many people come to therapy because something isn't working in the present. They may be struggling with relationships, self-esteem, boundaries, anxiety, people-pleasing, confidence, or finding themselves stuck in patterns they don't fully understand.

Sometimes these difficulties are connected to experiences from earlier in life. Sometimes they are not. My approach is not to assume that everything is because of your childhood, nor to spend months digging around in the past for the sake of it.

Instead, we start with what is happening for you now and explore together whether past experiences may help us better understand it.

Many people find that understanding their experiences in a different way can bring greater clarity, self-compassion, and a deeper understanding of themselves.

Lots of clients come to therapy with a great deal of insight, self-awareness, and understanding of themselves already. Some have spent years reading, reflecting, attending therapy, or actively working on their personal growth. Many have overcome significant challenges and developed a strong understanding of their experiences.

In truth, I have learned a great deal from many of my clients over the years too.

Therapy is not about dismissing previous progress or assuming that because difficulties exist today, the work you have done before has somehow failed. Often it is quite the opposite.

As we move through different stages of life, relationships, and challenges, we can find ourselves at new crossroads. Experiences we thought we fully understood may reveal new layers of meaning, insight, or understanding. This is not about going backwards or endlessly analysing the past. It is about recognising that growth is ongoing and that we continue to evolve throughout our lives.

Where relevant, we may explore past experiences, relationships, or significant life events and consider how they connect to what is happening in the present. Equally, there is no expectation that you must revisit parts of your past if that is not where you want the focus of our work to be.

Together we can find an approach that feels useful, relevant, and right for you.

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

In our first session, we will explore what is happening in your life right now and what you would like support with. Some people come wanting to understand the impact of childhood experiences, while others are more focused on present-day challenges. Both are welcome.

There is no expectation to share more than feels comfortable. My aim is to provide a warm, accepting, and non-judgemental space where we can begin to build an understanding of your experiences and identify what feels most important to you.

Whether you are looking to make sense of the past, navigate challenges in the present, or simply gain a better understanding of yourself, we will start where you are and work at a pace that feels right for you.