Claire Allerton

About me

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile while you decide on the best counsellor for you and what you need. I can help you to feel better.  My name is Claire and I am a dedicated, warm, ethical, caring, respectful, reliable and experienced counsellor.  Making the decision to see a counsellor is a big step, especially if you haven't done anything like this before. I aim to make it as easy and comfortable for you as possible.  I'm often told that I have a calming presence and that people feel comfortable around me.  You may be thinking about counselling to make changes, manage difficulties, make a big decision or understand yourself or a challenging situation better. I have certainly had my own challenges - which I believe supports understanding of your difficulties or issues.

I take a very personal and individual approach.  I will give you my full attention and focus (I limit the number of clients that I see each week to protect each client relationship). I will listen carefully to you and with your consent draw on my training in one or all of the approaches to therapy that I have trained in - to help you find your understanding and make changes, or both. I have worked within addiction and mental health services for over twenty years, and more recently with younger people. I love what I do, it's a real privilege.  I also volunteer within the local community.

Getting in touch

Please get in touch anytime on 07913238173; if I am unable to answer please leave a message and I will call you back as soon as possible - or send me a text or WhatsApp if that feels more comfortable.  We can then arrange the best time to speak over the phone (or another option such as messenger if that's more comfortable) to discuss any concerns, questions or worries that you may have about counselling (there is no charge for this).

Hopefully I will be able to reassure you and answer any questions that you may have. Once you decide to go ahead, we can decide on a convenient time for our first session.  

Our counselling sessions would usually last for 50 minutes.  Our sessions would be in person, over the phone or Skype / WhatsApp - whichever you are most comfortable with.  In person sessions would take place in my dedicated comfortable counselling room.  I am currently located 2 minutes' walk away from Hamilton Square train station, or if you would be driving to your sessions I have a parking pass for you to use.  I would love to hear from you, so please get in touch if you would like to arrange a session or if you need any further information.

My approaches to counselling

You might be unsure about the different types of counselling and what is right for you and your circumstances? You may have already experienced or heard about ‘person centered’,  ‘psychodynamic’ or ‘CBT’.

Broadly speaking, these are the three major approaches to counselling in the UK. These three approaches also have offshoots and sub-types within them.

I’m trained in all of these areas - so we have lots of options open to us. We don’t need to rely on one approach to meet your needs - together we can decide on one or a combination of these approaches to help you get to where you need to be.

Person centered counselling can focus on developing your confidence and identifying your inner resources. What’s really good about this approach is that you might already know, deep down, what you need to do. Within a warm, caring, authentic, therapeutic relationship you can develop the self-confidence to tap into your own resources. My understanding and acceptance of all of you, while also being honest and real is what you can expect from me within this approach.

Psychodynamic (relationship counselling) centers on relationships, with yourself and others. The relationship that forms between us, in the sessions, can be really useful in helping to understand what happens within your other relationships. A feature of this type of counselling is that I would ‘interpret’ the meaning behind what you say. You would develop insight and understanding into any difficulties you may be experiencing within your relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you to understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. In this type of counselling you would learn skills and strategies to manage, cope with and change problematic thinking styles.

I also have experience in working with clients in these areas: low self-esteem, avoidance, academic anxiety, work related stress / burnout, bereavement / pet bereavement and addiction (drugs/alcohol).

£40 (telephone and video link) - £50 (in person) per 50 minute session - payment can be made via BACS, cheque or cash.  There is no payment for any initial telephone call. 

Counselling is a talking therapy that helps you to focus your problems by helping you to clarify issues, explore different options, develop coping strategies, increase self-awareness and find solutions to problems. Counselling usually takes place weekly, at the same time and day each week, and lasts for 50 minutes.