A space to talk
and feel heard
Counselling for adults and young people aged 11 and over. If you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or can't see the wood for the trees, this is time set aside to think and talk things through.
In person near Yeovil, Somerset, or online and by telephone anywhere in the UK.
You might be here because…
You don't need a good enough reason, and you don't need to know what it is yet.
- You feel anxious or overwhelmed.
- You keep coping, and it is becoming harder.
- Your confidence has slipped away from you.
- Something has changed, or someone has died.
- Nothing is obviously wrong, and you still don't feel like yourself.
- Your child has gone quiet, and you don't know how to reach them.
- School has become something they dread.
- You're a young person, and everything feels like too much.
- Your child is autistic or has ADHD, and you would like them to speak to someone who understands different ways of communicating, thinking and processing emotions.
Meet Claire
I'm an integrative counsellor working with adults and young people. My way of working is warm and collaborative. We go at your pace, and you are never under pressure to say more than you want to.
Alongside my counselling practice, I work as an occupational therapist in a specialist school supporting neurodivergent children and young people.
I'm a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Training and qualifications
- Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling, with a placement at a university student counselling service
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- Professional Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy, with over 20 years' experience
Registered Member MBACP, registration number 374184. I work within the BACP Ethical Framework and have regular clinical supervision. HCPC registration number to be added.
How I work
Mostly I work in a person-centred way, following where you want to go rather than steering you somewhere I've decided matters. Where it helps, we can draw on cognitive behavioural therapy, and on creative ways of working when words aren't coming.
Sessions last 50 minutes and usually happen weekly or fortnightly. There's no set number, but we'll review how it's going every six weeks, and you can stop whenever you want to.
You don't have to arrive with it worked out. Most people don't. Starting anywhere is fine.
The consulting room, near Yeovil
What I can help with
If you recognised yourself above, this is the sort of ground we might cover. I work with adults and with young people aged 11 and over. People come for all sorts of reasons though, and plenty of them don't fit a heading. If what's brought you here isn't listed, do get in touch anyway.
Adults
Anxiety, stress and feeling overwhelmed
Worry that won't switch off, the physical side of it, and the way it narrows what feels possible.
Low mood, confidence and self-esteem
Feeling flat, feeling not good enough, and the guilt or shame that often sits underneath.
Grief, loss and major life changes
Bereavement that's recent or long-standing, and the changes that arrive without being chosen.
Relationships and family difficulties
Difficulties with a partner, a parent or a grown-up child. Separation and divorce.
Caring, long-term illness and work
The exhaustion and isolation of caring for someone. Living with a long-term condition. Workplace pressure and burnout.
Neurodiversity
Support for adults with ADHD or who are neurodivergent, working with how you think rather than against it.
Young people (11 and over)
Worry, stress and school pressure
Anxiety that makes school, exams or going out feel hard, and what it does to the body, from headaches to not sleeping.
Big feelings and anger
Feelings that seem to come out of nowhere, and making sense of what's underneath them.
Friendships, bullying and fitting in
Falling out, feeling left out, and the pressure that can come with social media.
Changes and loss
Parents separating, a new family set-up, moving house or school, or losing someone close.
Confidence and self-esteem
Working out who you are, and the quieter feeling of not being good enough.
Neurodiversity and learning differences
Support for young people with ADHD or learning differences, working with how they think rather than against it.
Counselling for children and young people
I offer counselling for children and young people aged 11 and over, in person near Yeovil or online. Sometimes a parent gets in touch; sometimes the young person does. Either is fine.
If you're a parent
You don't need to know what's wrong before you contact me. Most parents don't. We'll start with a phone call, and I'll explain how it works, what I'll share with you and what I won't, and what happens if I'm ever worried about your child's safety. We will agree the arrangements together, so that everyone understands how the counselling will work.
If you're the young person
This time is yours. You don't have to talk the whole time, and you don't have to have a good enough reason. Some people talk, some draw, some sit quietly for a bit first. All of that is allowed.
Confidentiality
What a young person tells me stays between us. The exception is if I'm worried that they, or someone else, is at risk of serious harm. If that happens, I'll always try to talk to them about it first. We agree all of this together at the start, with everyone in the room, so nobody is guessing.
I understand that talking does not come easily to every young person. My work as an occupational therapist in a specialist school gives me additional experience of supporting neurodivergent young people, and of recognising that everyone communicates, processes emotions and engages with support differently.
How the first session works
We usually start with you and your child together for the first ten minutes or so, to go through confidentiality, safeguarding and the practical arrangements. Then you'll leave and I'll continue privately with your child. If a different arrangement would suit them better, we can agree that.
Young people aged 16 and 17 can normally agree to counselling for themselves. Below 16, I'll consider your child's own understanding, and will usually ask a parent or carer to agree as well. Either way, I'll explain it in a way your child understands and ask them directly. Counselling is never imposed on a young person who doesn't want it.
There is an initial information form for you to fill in beforehand, which saves us going through the basics in the first session. Download it here.
Ways we can work together
Whichever you choose, the session is the same length, and we agree the date of your next session before you go. Plenty of people move between them depending on the week.
In person
A quiet consulting room at Stoford, just outside Yeovil, with parking outside and step-free access.
Online, by video
By Microsoft Teams, from wherever you are in the UK. I'll send the link before we start. You'll need somewhere private where you won't be interrupted, and if the connection drops I'll call you so we can carry on.
By telephone
For anyone who finds being on camera draining. Some people find it easier to speak without being looked at. That's a good reason, not a lesser one.
Fees
Sessions last 50 minutes. The introductory telephone call is free.
In person
£65
per session, near Yeovil
Online, by video
£55
per session, by Teams
By telephone
£55
per session
Paying
Payment is taken in advance, and is due 48 hours before we meet.
Cancelling
Please give at least 48 hours' notice and I'll move the session or refund it in full. Counselling agreement and terms.
Insurance
I accept WPA health insurance.
What happens when you get in touch
Getting in touch is a smaller step than it feels like. This is all of it.
-
1
You send a short enquiry
Through the form below, or call if you'd rather. A few words is enough.
-
2
I get in touch
Usually within two working days, to arrange a free introductory telephone call.
-
3
We speak briefly
About what has brought you to counselling, and you can ask me anything you want to know.
-
4
We arrange a first session
If it feels right to you. I'll confirm the details.
There is no obligation to continue after the introductory call. If I'm not the right person, I'll say so, and I'll try to point you in the right direction.
Get in touch
You do not need to explain everything here. A few words is enough to begin.
hello@claire-counselling.co.uk If I can't pick up, leave a message and I'll call you back.