Claire Stewart

A Warm Hello, I'm here to offer a safe space to share. I believe at some point in our lives sharing our feelings with someone outside our circle of friends, family or colleagues can be an important step to feeling better within ourselves.

I offer support and endeavour to understand where you are coming from. 

There may be circumstances in your life that have pushed you to seek a counsellor. I offer a sensitive and holding environment where you can share in total confidence whatever is on your mind.

I deeply believe everyone deserves this unique opportunity.

I also offer Couples Counselling. Sometimes all that is needed is a space where we can voice and be truly heard by our partner. It has the power to revitalise a relationship.

With my help a couple can work towards a relationship that is meaningful for both partners.

Whatever type of counselling you choose it can be the first step on a journey that is just for you. 

Counselling is a place where you can go to reset and gain insight into a whole new way of looking at your life experiences. 

So please get in contact. You will be greeted by warmth and honesty.

I offer weekly face to face as well as online sessions. In addition, I am mindful people have busy lives and offer evening sessions that may add more flexibility to your day.

I am an experienced counsellor of more than 10 years, providing counselling for couples and individuals in York. I offer a warm and open environment to explore, together, some of the difficulties or experiences that may have brought you to counselling.

I provide a work space that is designed to be comfortable and inviting. It offers a couch as well as comfy chairs and wooden floors in a light and airy room that has street parking. I offer long-term or short term counselling.

Couples Counselling

Couples counselling need not be a sign of breaking up. I am trained in Relational Psychotherapy and can help address recurring conflict that may involve feelings of emotional disconnectedness; issues surrounding intimacy, sex, communication, affairs, and family issues; fertility, or even external circumstances that have triggered issues that need to be worked through.

Couples counselling has the potential to resolve past hurt and present conflict. Attending sessions together can initiate a more productive way of communicating with one another.

If you are interested in Couples Counselling the best way to contact me is by email in order to arrange an initial consultation where both partners can explore together what Couples Counselling can provide. 

What can Counselling Offer to Individuals

Counselling can offer help and support with current and long-term problems, including issues ranging from problematic relationships, life events such as loss, work problems, ill health, struggles with identity, or unhelpful thoughts and behavioural patterns.

A sensitive, non-judgmental approach can provide a confidential space where time is given to voice and explore your feelings. It can give you an opportunity to connect with yourself and to gain insight into ways you may not be able to explore under normal circumstances. With care, the right knowledge and support it can be a place to gain new tools and emotional insight to replace unhelpful coping strategies.

Counselling can help to develop an open, curious mindset that can help cultivate different ways of being. This type of work can help to promote an ability to self-reflect and, more importantly, to consider what part of you can facilitate change to the challenges you have faced in the past and in the present.

At the heart of this type of therapeutic journey is a profound collaborative effort that is relational in nature and is created by mutual respect.

In general counselling consists of a 50 minute session face to face or online meeting once a week. This weekly meeting is important to facilitate long term benefits. An agreed time and day can be arranged for this to take place. 

My Approach

I work in an adaptive way that involves a Psychodynamic approach that can include Mindfullness (when helpful). I believe in a holistic approach that considers you as a unique person with individual needs. I don't believe in one size fits all.

This approach is person centred and  can provide you with re-newed insight into areas of life that you find difficult. It is an opportunity to  learn the emotional tools and techniques to facilitate personal growth.  

My work includes dealing with life events that could be a recent truama, losing a loved one, pregnancy, a break up, a chronic health condition, family issues, or dealing with stress at work.

Psychodynamic

The psychodynamic approach initially involves exploring your past experiences and questioning how your experiences might influence the present. Exploring these parts of you can be a powerful way to move forward and promote positive change. By sensitively and carefully processing possible root causes, it can initiate profound change and understanding. It considers experiences that have created unhelpful thoughts that leads to anxiety, depression, lack of self-esteem, relational issues, truama, unresloved conflict or suicidal thoughts. 

Mindfullness

Mindfullness considers the effect of stress on the body. This could be feeling a shortness of breath in stressful circumstances or it might be general anxiety you hold in your chest. With mindfulness specific breathing techniques can be learnt to calm and promote a sense of well-being and much more.  

What to Expect

Our initial consultation will last 50 mins. I will invite you to share what has brought you to consider therapy. Depending upon how you feel we may set out a few focus points together. If you decide this is something you are interested in I will recommend starting with four sessions, with a review on the fourth. This session gives you a chance to reflect on whether this is working for you.

To give you a real understanding of what this all means, I would love to hear from you about a free, no obligation consultation.

If you have any questions, you can contact me through email or text to arrange a consultation. I endeavour to reply on the same day.

Email: clairestewart341@yahoo.co.uk

Text message: 07921155989

I work with couples  as well as individuals and offer Skype and phone services. If you would like to find out more please contact or send me an email.

My usual fee is £50.

Depending on availabilty I can offer reduced fee places for students and people on low incomes.

My private-practice is based in Holgate a 5 minute bus ride or a 15 minute walk from York train station. Once we have arranged a meeting, I am happy to provide further directions.