Claire Ashburner

Why counselling, why now?  Possibly you are feeling quietly exhausted, trying to hold and balance things alone, or facing struggles or distress in your relationship, or hijacked with an emotion that feels unbearably heavy - fear, or sadness, or just a sense of something doesn't feel right... so a kind of emotional unease.  You may be tired of the same patterns repeating, reacting in ways you don’t fully understand, and when any of these feature, your emotional and mental reserves are depleted, leaving little capacity to cope, or make sense of the overwhelm. Counselling offers a space to gather yourself, pause, catch your breath, and gradually and steadily begin to talk about how to replenish your inner tank.

I offer online counselling, allowing us to meet wherever you are — in the privacy and familiarity of your own space. For many people, this makes it easier to speak openly, without the added pressure of travelling or rushing. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I work within its ethical framework. At the heart of my work is a belief in offering a compassionate, respectful, and collaborative space, where you feel heard, valued, and safe to explore what matters most to you, without judgement, or a need or expectation to solve or to find solutions.

If something here resonates with you, you are very welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation. We can think together about what you might need and whether working together feels like the right next step.

I offer a warm, steady and confidential space where you can slow down and begin to untangle what is happening for you. There is no judgement here — only curiosity, care and thoughtful exploration.

When we are struggling, it rarely stays contained. It can affect our relationships, our confidence, our work, and our sense of who we are. Together, we gently explore the layers beneath these difficulties — making sense of how your experiences have shaped you and noticing where you may feel stuck or disconnected... particularly in personal relationships or friendships.

For me, therapy is not about correcting or fixing you. It is about offering a thoughtful, attuned relationship in which you can safely explore your inner world. From that place of understanding and growing self-awareness, you can begin to respond to life in ways that feel more aligned with who you truly are.

I work with adults, and I often experience that these are adults who appear to be coping on the outside, yet feel overwhelmed or distressed on the inside. You may be navigating a life change... resulting in anxiety, low mood, burnout, relationship difficulties, loss, or a sense that you have lost touch with yourself somewhere along the way.  Sometimes the feelings can engulf us.

Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable individuals who are often used to being the “strong one” for others, and may find it unfamiliar — or even uncomfortable — to focus on their own needs.

I offer warmth and steadiness, alongside gentle challenge where it’s needed. I will not rush you, but I also won’t collude with patterns that keep you stuck. We work at a pace that feels safe, while still moving forward with intention.

 
How I Work

An Integrative Approach

As an integrative therapist, I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches, tailoring our work to you as an individual. Therapy with me is not one-size-fits-all. It evolves through our relationship and through what you bring.

We may explore your history and early experiences, your relationship patterns, and the beliefs you hold about yourself. Understanding how your past has influenced you can be empowering — not to dwell there, but to make sense of the present and create new possibilities for the future.

The therapeutic relationship itself is central to my work. Research consistently shows that feeling safe, understood and respected is one of the most important factors in meaningful change, and I take this responsibility seriously.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Alongside deeper reflective work, I can offer CBT where it feels helpful.

CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours, offering practical tools to manage difficulties such as anxiety, depression, anger and low self-esteem. It is a well-researched approach and can be especially helpful if you appreciate structure and clear strategies alongside exploratory work.

Sessions are collaborative and active. You are the expert on your own life and experiences; I bring therapeutic training and insight to help you see patterns more clearly and consider alternative ways forward.

Typically, clients attend weekly sessions, and the number of sessions varies depending on your needs. The skills and tools you learn are designed to support you long after therapy has come to an end.

Reflective Space

I offer one-off 'reflective space' sessions, because on some occasions, something just needs to be 'talked out', or something challenging just requires some processing or working through in a shared and confidential, devoted space, where you can gather your thoughts or let go of something that is  whirling about in your mind.

Mindfulness

Many of us find ourselves caught between revisiting and wishing things had been different, or regretting past decisions we made, and worries about the future and what may lie ahead. In being preoccupied with behind or in-front, we often lose connection and sight with the present moment — where our lives are actually happening.

Mindfulness gently supports us in returning to the here and now. It can help create space between you and overwhelming thoughts or emotions, allowing for clearer, calmer responses. If this feels right for you, I can introduce simple, accessible mindfulness practices into our work together.

 
I hold a deep regard and admiration for the courage it takes to seek support. I do not approach therapy as someone who has all the answers. Rather, I bring professional training, experience and a steady presence, and together we make sense of what feels difficult or unclear.

At the heart of my work is a belief that each of us carries an inner sense of what we need — even if it feels distant right now. My role is to walk alongside you as you reconnect with that part of yourself, building trust, strengthening self-awareness and supporting you to live in a way that feels more authentic and fulfilling.

Next Steps

If you’re wondering whether counselling could help, you’re very welcome to get in touch. A brief conversation is a simple way to see if we feel like a good fit — there’s no pressure to decide anything straight away.

I am familiar with working with people who live with chronic health conditions, or are coming to terms with a new diagnosis.  Loss and grief are a huge area in the struggle and I can offer support in working through this challenging experience,

If you choose we can have a 20 minute introduction chat on the phone for which there is no fee.

My fee is £60 for an individual, for a 50-minute session. I also offer reduced rates in certain circumstances — please get in touch to explore what might work for you.

• Payment to be made either in advance or on the day of the session by bank transfer