Claire Walsh

Unexpressed feelings never shrink. Freud said this and he is right. You can bury them, hide them, ignore them but they will never reduce. They remain defiant unless they are expressed, listened to and processed. 

Facing those emotions and those intrusive thoughts can be difficult – after all, you’ve been avoiding them for a reason, right? They are painful, uncomfortable, possibly shameful and sometimes seem insurmountable. I can help you face and deal with those thoughts and feelings in a compassionate and safe way.

I am very experienced in my field of psychotherapy having been practicing for 12 years. I am also duel trained in behavioural modification as a learning disabilities nurse. I am empathetic, have a sense of humour and am direct in my approach. I will treat you as the individual you are. I am an integrated therapist, meaning I use approaches from several modalities including CBT, person centred, TA, neuro counselling and behavioural modification.

To quote Freud again (and despite his many faults, he does a good quote),

 “Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength” 

What he is saying is that facing your feelings, thoughts and your very self can feel very exposing. This leaves you feeling vulnerable, we normally avoid feeling vulnerable, but by providing a safe, non-judgemental space with expert help you can face them and gain a strength you maybe, didn’t know you had. 

Often people will ask me ‘when is the right time to come to counselling?’ ‘Do I really need it?’

I always answer that if you are asking those questions, then you are looking for help, so yes, now is the right time. It is also important to remember that whilst counselling can greatly help those with traumatic pasts, abusive relatives, depression and anxiety, it is also for non-crisis situations. You do not have to be in distress to seek therapy. Any persistent unwanted thoughts or feelings are a reason to seek support. And just like with your GP, it is also far better to come sooner rather than later. 

Lots of people have started their therapeutic journey just like you, looking through the sea of faces to spot the one that’s right for them. Following this here are a few testimonies from those people who are now on the other side of their therapy with me,

“I felt alone all my life, I couldn’t remember a time when I wasn’t depressed. I wasn’t sure if it was even possible for it to ever be different. We had some powerful sessions that asked me to look deep into myself – which was not always very comfortable, but Claire’s kindness and skill guided me through. She is an amazing lady, if you have the chance to work with Claire, I would say take it, you will be hard pressed to find anyone better” (person A) 

“Claire, I can never thank you enough for your patience, sensitivity and love that you have shown me, because of your thoughtfulness and understanding my life has turned around”. (Person B)

“I would highly recommend Claire because she has tremendous talent and skill and it would be hard to find anyone better, I was treated with respect, care, empathy, kindness, and discretion. I have had previous counselling, so I feel I am experienced and knowledgeable in knowing what works and what doesn’t, and put simply, Claire works” (person C)

If you would like to work with me and feel ready to start your therapy journey, then please just get in touch.

£60 individual sessions lasting 1 hour
£70 couples counselling lasting 1 hour