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Rachael Horan Counselling MBACP

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Rachael Horan Counselling MBACP

I am an Integrative Counsellor in Wellington, Somerset. I see adults, children, young people and couples. Hello! I currently see clients here on a Monday.

I am also a Community Counsellor and work both in person and online. Please reach out if you need support for yourself or a loved one. My name is Rachael and I am an integrative counsellor based in Wellington, Somerset. I work with each client individually, tailored to your therapeutic needs. My training combined Humanistic, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and I can draw on any of these approaches during our sessions. I work with adults, couples, children and young people in a confidential environment and can currently also offer both face to face and online appointments via Zoom/ FaceTime. I can offer counselling relating to:

Abuse
Addiction
ADHD
Alcoholism
Anger Management
Anxiety
Behaviour Difficulties
Bipolar Disorder
Bullying
Depression
Divorce
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders/ Concerns
Family Issues
Gender Identity
Grief and Loss/ Bereavement
Health Concerns
Learning Difficulties
Loneliness
Low Confidence
Low Self-Esteem
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic Attacks
Paranoia
Phobias
Post Natal Depression
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Relationship Difficulties
Self- Harm
Social Anxiety
Stress
Suicidal Thoughts
Trauma

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and therefore adhere to their code of ethics and safe working practices. I offer a non-judgemental environment and encourage anyone struggling to reach out for help and support. I have worked as a counsellor in a primary school in Somerset and have experience with children both within a school environment and outside of, and I often use creative tools during the sessions. These tools can be sand trays, crafts and board games to name a few. Sometimes though, simply the use of language and offering a safe space is more than enough for a child or young person to really open up and engage in the process. It is my strong belief that no child, young person or adult should be ashamed of their ill mental health and that it should be considered as important as physical health. Together whilst building a strong therapeutic relationship, you can thrive and move forward, receiving the empathy and understanding that you deserve. I can be flexible to suit your working hours and needs where appointments are available. Appointment times and days can be the same each week, but don't have to be, so if this is a concern please contact me and we can see if we can make it work together. I also offer counselling to trainee counsellors which includes a letter of completion at the end of therapy if required for qualification purposes. Please do get in touch for a chat to discuss any concerns you may have and we can talk through the process prior to commencing your journey. I also take referrals through Wellington Community Counselling, a local organisation within the community which provides affordable counselling to adults, children and young people. www.communitycounsellingcic.co.uk

On a Tuesday and Friday I can be found at Wellington Baptist Church working as a consultant counsellor for Cornerstone Counselling-

www.cornerstonesw.co.uk/about/rachael

24/01/2026

✨ Hello! ✨ I thought it was time for an ‘introduction post’; it’s been a long time since I’ve done one and a lot has changed for Rachael Horan Counselling (with more to come this year!).

I’m so excited to introduce myself and share a little about Rachael Horan Counselling with you all. I’m an Integrative Counsellor and trainee Clinical Supervisor offering supportive, compassionate therapy to adults, children, young people, couples and family members — both face-to-face and online.

I set up my private practice having worked for a mental health charity supporting young people, and I spent a school year at a primary school working as a counsellor with children in years 5 & 6. In March this year, Rachael Horan Counselling will celebrate its 4th Birthday! I’m super proud of this and love to see individuals and families grow, heal and lead happier lives ❤️

As part of my private practice, I currently attend two local primary schools offering sessions to children aged 7-11. I work with Community Counselling CIC which helps individuals and families in the local community, and I take referrals for another well established counselling service. From April, I will be opening up the Clinical Supervision side to my business offering not just individual supervision to other professionals but also group supervision delivered both online and in person.

I believe that real healing starts with being truly heard — and that’s what I aim to offer in every session: respect, empathy, and a sense of safety.

My approach is integrative and combines many modalities which means I adapt the way we work together to fit what you need — whether that’s gentle reflection, practical tools, creative exploration, or deeper insight work.

The modalities I work with include-

Psychodynamic Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
Trauma Informed Therapy
Acceptance and Behavioural Therapy
Creative and Expressive Therapies
Sand Play Therapy

I’m here to support you through life’s challenges, guide personal growth, and help you uncover your own strengths so you can live more fully and authentically ❤️

19/01/2026

💙 Blue Monday 💙

You may have heard of Blue Monday, often called “the most depressing day of the year.” The idea dates back to the early 2000s and is linked to factors like darker winter days, cold weather, post-holiday blues, financial pressures, and motivation dipping after New Year’s resolutions fade. While the formula behind it isn’t scientifically proven, the feelings it highlights are very real for many people.

🌧️ How Blue Monday (and winter low mood) can present:

For adults, it may look like:
• Persistent low mood or sadness
• Feeling exhausted, unmotivated, or emotionally “flat”
• Increased anxiety or racing thoughts
• Irritability or feeling easily overwhelmed
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Withdrawing from social situations

For children and young people, it can present differently, such as:
• Irritability, tearfulness, or frequent mood changes
• Becoming quieter or more withdrawn
• Increased clinginess or reassurance-seeking
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels
• Physical complaints like headaches or stomach aches
• Loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy
• Struggling more at school or with friendships

💡 Ways to get through Blue Monday (and winter days like it):
• Talk about how you’re feeling with friends, family, or a professional
• Get outside during daylight hours, even briefly
• Keep gentle routines that include rest, movement, and nourishing food
• Lower expectations, you don’t need to be productive every day
• Check in with children and teens, listen without judgment
• Focus on small, comforting activities that bring a sense of calm or joy

Remember, low days don’t mean you’re failing. It’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to ask for support. You’re not alone. 💙

31/12/2025

As a new year begins, many of us feel a mix of emotions. There may be hope, motivation, relief that a chapter has closed—or anxiety about what lies ahead. The New Year often arrives with expectations: to improve, to change, to “do better.” While fresh starts can be meaningful, they can also place pressure on our mental and emotional wellbeing.

In counselling, we often see how the idea of a “new year, new me” can feel inspiring for some, yet overwhelming or discouraging for others. If you’re entering this year feeling uncertain, tired, or emotionally heavy, please know this is a very human experience—and you are not alone.

Rather than focusing on the ‘typical’ resolutions, you may find it helpful to approach the New Year with intention and curiosity. This might look like asking yourself:

• What do I need more of this year?
• What has been draining me, and where might I create small boundaries?
• How can I speak to myself with more kindness?

Growth doesn’t have to be dramatic or visible. Sometimes it’s learning to rest without guilt, asking for help, or allowing yourself to feel what you feel without rushing to change it.

As we step into this New Year, I invite you to let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace a more compassionate approach to yourself.

Whatever this year holds, your mental health matters—not just at the start of the year, but every day ❤️

16/12/2025

Wishing each and every one of my 2025 clients a restful Christmas and New Year. It is not an easy time for some, it can also be a chance to self reflect and reset for others. However you spend it, sometimes just getting through it is enough ❤️ Remember to be kind to yourself during this time.

I will be closed from Tuesday 23rd December at Midday until Friday 2nd January at 9am. Enquiries/e-mails and messages during this time will not be replied to so if you require urgent support or a crisis team please contact one of the numbers below.

Somerset Mindline - 0800 1381692 or 01823 276892

The Samaritans - 116 123

Shout (via text message) - 85258

You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental health assistance.

08/12/2025

✨ Feeling the Pressure Building as Christmas Approaches? You’re Not Alone. ✨

As the holidays draw closer, many people feel more stressed than excited.

The pressure to be cheerful, to create the “perfect” day, to manage family expectations, finances, social plans, and end-of-year demands can feel overwhelming.

You might notice:

• Feeling pulled in every direction
• Pressure to “keep up” or make everything perfect
• Guilt for not “doing enough”
• Exhaustion from social expectations or family tension
• Wanting to withdraw or feeling stretched thin

Please know this is a normal response to a demanding time of year.

🎄 You’re allowed to slow down.
🎁 You’re allowed to set boundaries.
💛 You’re allowed to keep things simple and prioritise your wellbeing.

22/10/2025

Ahead of the clocks changing this Sunday, I thought it would be important to recognise the effects this can have on mental health 🍂

When the clocks change each autumn and spring, many people also notice a shift in their mood and energy levels. The transition, especially the move from daylight saving time to standard time in autumn, can significantly impact mental health.

One of the main effects is a disruption to the body’s circadian rhythm — the internal clock that regulates sleep, mood, and hormones. When evenings become darker earlier, people are exposed to less natural light, which can reduce serotonin levels and affect mood regulation. This often leads to feelings of tiredness, irritability and/or low mood. For some, the change can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to reduced sunlight during the colder months.

Sleep patterns can also suffer. Even a one-hour shift can cause temporary insomnia, grogginess, or difficulty concentrating, much like mild jet lag. Over time, this sleep disruption can contribute to increased stress and anxiety levels.

To ease the transition, experts recommend maintaining consistent sleep routines, maximizing exposure to daylight, and staying physically active. Light therapy lamps and vitamin D supplements can also help counter the effects of shorter days.

While the clock change can seem like a simple adjustment, it’s important to recognize its deeper influence on mental well-being — and take small, proactive steps to protect it.

🍁

25/09/2025

I’m all set to start the Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision 📚 The books have arrived and I’m spending this cozy evening getting in some reading of the 7-Eyed Model for next week….I can’t wait to get stuck into it and to be able to offer supervision to other counsellors next year. I’ll also be looking to offer group supervision sessions so watch this space!

21/07/2025

🤩 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 🤩

Wow!! As an integrative therapist there are so many different ways of working that we can bring into the room with clients. From my own perspective it can sometimes be obvious which approach will work best for the client, but sometimes it can be more of a ‘let’s give this a go and see’.

Recently ACT came into my life and as it is based on values, it’s hard to see how it isn’t suited to most or all people! As an avid user of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), I was intrigued as to how this modality aligned or differed. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours to improve mental health. ACT, while drawing from CBT principles, emphasizes accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment and committing to actions aligned with personal values.

“Developed in the mid 1980’s by Dr Steven Hayes (a clinical psychologist and professor), he sought to create a therapeutic intervention that integrates mindfulness and behavioural change strategies. The main aim being to help individuals cultivate psychological flexibility and to be present in the moment, adapt to change whilst having awareness of and maintaining their deeply held values”.

Using 6 core processes, ACT works to enable individuals to lead rich, meaningful lives in the face of challenges and adversities.

ACT has been proven to be highly effective for people experiencing Depression, Anxiety, OCD and Trauma. Those with Autism and ADHD can also benefit from it.

The core concepts are :

✅Acceptance
✅Committed Action
✅Values
✅Self as Context
✅Contact with the Present Moment
✅Cognitive Diffusion

I am in the process of reading The Skilled Helper by Gerard Egan, my favourite read of the year so far 🤩

Massive thanks to for the amazing bundle I’ve received which is full of useful, interactive and vibrant worksheets. I can’t put them down!

08/04/2025

Exciting News! I’ve been quieter than usual on the socials this year as I’ve been working hard behind the scenes in the last few months and focusing on listening to my clients and their needs, and you have spoken beautifully!

As Counsellors we have an obligation to our clients to continually invest in ourselves so that we can offer our clients the very best service. This year so far has been full of learning, training and listening to my clients; what else can I offer that is of benefit to my client base both in person and online?

I see many adults who come to me with relationship concerns. Hurdles with communication, addressing past behaviours and patterns and struggling to find a way forward causes us to become stuck in a cycle with no clear way out.

From June 2025 I will be offering Couples and Relationship Counselling.

Couples/Relationship Counselling will help you to have a better understanding of not just yourself but your partner in a safe space. Regardless of your current status, sexual orientation, age, background or presenting issues, you will be made to feel welcome whilst you work together on your relationship. My role is to facilitate, and to be entirely neutral.

This area of Counselling is complex, not only because it involves more than one person (each bringing their own needs and thoughts to the situation), but also because there are so many areas that affect people in relationships.

✔️Communication Breakdown
✔️Identifying Patterns and Learned Behaviour
✔️Conflict Resolution
✔️Substance Misuse
✔️Infidelity
✔️Lack of Intimacy/ Sexual Difficulties
✔️Trust Issues
✔️Emotional Disconnection
✔️Major Life Changes
✔️Parenting Challenges
✔️Mental Health Challenges
✔️Premarital Concerns

Of course it may not be possible to bring about a resolution as a couple, but the aim is to grow through the process together regardless of the choices you then make moving forward.

Please message through my website for more information.

www.rachaelhorancounselling.co.uk

16/12/2024

Christmas is often a tough time for many people, especially if you’re already in an emotionally vulnerable space. It can be full of stresses and worries, anxiety and guilt, family pressures on top of managing everyday life through the festive period.

There are organisations that can be contacted during this time if you need support. My counselling service will be closed from 3pm on Friday 20th December until 9am on Friday 3rd January. Enquiries/e-mails and messages during this time will not be replied to so if you require urgent support or a crisis team please contact one of the numbers below.

Somerset Mindline - 0800 1381692 or 01823 276892

The Samaritans - 116 123

Shout (via text message) - 85258

You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental health assistance.

Wishing all my clients from 2024 a Christmas of kindness to yourself and times of joy however you’re spending it 🎄

Rachael x

30/09/2024

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and how could it be used to help in your therapeutic journey?

CBT is a form of therapy that aims to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions primarily anxiety, depression and PTSD.

It is problem oriented and solution focused looking more at the hear-and-now rather than the past. The first step once it has been assessed what the individual needs are of the client, is to look at the basics of CBT and to understand how it works 🧠.

With my clients I firstly discuss the biological reasons for triggers and reactions/responses to situations that causes us to deem something as a ‘threat’. Our bodies/minds react firstly using our ‘primitive brain’, before our ‘developed brain’ engages. It is important to understand that both parts cannot work at the same time, and our primitive area of the brain engages based on previous experiences/knowledge and even due to the threats our ancestors experienced (genetics and inherited trauma kicking in here!).

Once we understand its relevance to us, we can start to dissect it and work through it using the Cognitive Model (also known as the Cognitive Triangle). We look at how Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviours interact with each other and if we change one of them, we can change the outcome of a situation.

There’s much more to CBT including looking at Automatic Thoughts and Irrational Beliefs and how to challenge them, Socratic Questioning, Exposure Therapy and many more which help to challenge beliefs and ask ‘where’s the evidence for this?’.

Keeping a thought record can also be really useful and can be done at home. In fact many parts of CBT can be done outside of the therapy room which makes it a great tool! This is hugely beneficial for self-growth and improving self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and self-awareness with the use of worksheets and practical measures.

Worksheets can be found online for free, or printable bundles can be downloaded from Etsy which are colourful and great for teens!

26/08/2024

Hello! 👋 Firstly I hope my parent followers are doing ok and managing the often unavoidable stress of the school holidays. It’s a whole work/children/money management situation so well done to everyone for getting through it!

My posts usually delve into a topic; I do love an educational post (both reading and writing them!) as after all, mental health is hugely science related with genetics and biology playing a big role. It’s really important when exploring how you feel to understand the science behind it too- what physical effects it is having, why you feel the way you do and where it comes from. It all comes from somewhere whether that’s directly in your lifetime or intergenerationally.

Today though, I thought I’d answer some common questions I get asked and re-introduce what I do!

What is counselling?

Counselling is a process of talking about and working through your personal difficulties with a person who will be non-judgemental. The counsellor will listen, encourage you to explore how you feel, increase self-awareness and develop coping strategies to move forward with.

What should counsellors not do?

They should not offer advice, judgements or opinions.

What approach do I offer?

I offer an integrative approach incorporating the above and often with an emphasis on education and goal setting. I will challenge where necessary to encourage self-exploration and growth.

What ages do I see?

Age 7 upwards. For younger clients I incorporate play into the sessions, though adults can also benefit from this too and often request the use of practical tools within a session.

How long will I need counselling for?

This question is understandably common as it is not only a matter of time management around work and family, but also the cost involved. However much we know it’s a priority, so are other things and it can be hard to justify. The answer though is it is very individual. It is a process that can take a while or just a few sessions. I will never continue longer than is necessary and will encourage you to fly with your strengthened wings once you are ready to 🦅

🫶

Address

South Street
Wellington
TA218NR

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.rachaelhorancounselling.co.uk/

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