Hi, I’m Claire…
After a lengthy career as a mental health nurse in the NHS, I chose to follow intensive clinical training as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and then as a Child Psychotherapist. The experience of training was life changing as I came to understand my own inner world more fully and how early experiences shape our development and our relationships.
My life has been truly enriched by the experience of my training and I believe therapy, and the journey to know, and understand ourselves more fully, changes how we live in the world and relate to others…. allowing us to find more joy and peace.
I’m trained in an integrative psychodynamic model which means I can draw from a range of theories and techniques depending on what best suited to the unique situation that each person brings to therapy. It also allows me, with you, to understand how emotions and behaviours can be related to earlier experiences. I have an understanding of how the past presents in our daily lives and together we might identify ways of changing habitual ways of being into something that serves us better. In doing so our lives and our relationships are enhanced.
In my work with children aged 4-18, I offer a range of therapeutic solutions including child psychotherapy and counselling, play therapy , sand tray therapy and attachment focused therapy. My specialist training allows me to understand the multiple, complex needs of the developing child and allows me to support their emotional growth.
I have undertaken specific training and professional development to allow me to offer a trans inclusive environment in my therapy room - both in person and online - and offer a supportive , collaborative environment to young people addressing their core identity.
I also work with parents & carers supporting them as they make sense of strong feelings and often distressing behaviours in their child.
My work with adults supports you to address what might be overwhelming feelings, a particularly difficult life event or an opportunity to understand yourself better and find a sense of direction. I have previously specialised in maternal mental health - supporting women with infant loss, post partum illness and post natal depression.
Perhaps inevitably as I myself age I am drawn to working with women in their post reproductive lives and we can embrace our Elderhood and changing roles.
I hold an Enhanced Certificate in the Disclosure & Barring Service and am part of the annual update service.
Qualifications
In addition to my primary training as a Mental health Nurse and ongoing continuous professional development in the NHS I have studied at The Northern Guild of Psychotherapy and have completed a
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Diploma in Child Psychotherapy
Post Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy
MSc in Psychotherapy
Since qualifying as a Psychotherapist I have undertaken ongoing training including in respect of understanding neurodivergence; and of understanding attachment based approaches. As part of my Child Psychotherapy training I completed a 2 Year Infant Observation study and trained with Professor David Shemming to enhance my understanding of attachment styles and how this impacts all of our relationships and ways of being.
My current focus is additional training in emotional based school avoidance ( ESBA) and in all my work offering a trans inclusive environment. For this I have undertaken additional CPD and this will be ongoing.
I am aware of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with intersectionality and bring this mindfulness, I hope, to my daily work.
I am trained in a range of creative interventions including art, imagery, and sand tray. These allow exploration of issues when words alone are not enough.
I am also a yoga teacher and have completed specialist training allowing me to teach yoga that supports women in the transitions of peri-menopause, menopause and in the post menopause years. I have also completed additional training in Yoga Nidra - a deeply restorative yoga practice.
Currently I am completing training in Yoga for Anxiety & Trauma. Details of all my yoga offerings on the Wirral and online will be added shortly to my website. Please look out for them.