Claire Atkins

I work with people who feel depressed or are suffering from prolonged episodes of low mood. I also support people who have low self-esteem and low-confidence, and people who are carers and have caring responsibilities.

I specialise in helping people who are feeling sad, exhausted and hopeless about the future. If you're battling a persistent low mood, I know it can make you feel empty inside and takes away the pleasure from the things you used to enjoy. It can impact your sleep, concentration levels and leave you with low-energy and constantly feeling drained. You may find yourself stuck in negative, critical thinking that makes you feel worthless and thinking about the future can feel pointless. I want you to know that you are not alone and things can change. I will help you explore what’s feeling heavy in a gentle and supportive way. I will be with you while we find a way to break free from the heaviness you're carrying.

Another area I specialise in is supporting people who are feeling like they're always being taken for granted, whether it's in relationships, with friends, or at work. Do you find yourself always being there to help others but no-ones there to help you? Do you worry that you’ve said something that might have upset someone or feel a sense of dread when you think back over a conversation? Do you feel unworthy or unloved and crave something more? If you want to change your people pleasing behaviours and work out how to build your confidence and learn to speak up for yourself more, I can help you to make the changes you need to feel more respected and valued by others. 

I also specialise in supporting people who are carers and have caring responsibilities. As a carer myself, I understand how demanding and emotionally complex caring for someone can feel. I have a particular interest in supporting carers because I understand the challenges this role can bring and the variety of feelings and emotions being a carer can evoke that we may battle with. If you would like to speak to someone who understands, I can help you to work through what feels difficult, process the range of feelings that are hard to express, and work towards feeling more able to cope.

Through my own experiences of therapy and getting the right support to work through the challenges life can bring, I know that change is possible. When we get the support we need, we can improve and re-shape our lives. 

Other areas I can help with

Anxiety and Panic Attacks - Do you need to take back control of your life and free yourself from the fear that controls you?

Bereavement and Loss - Do you need to process your grief and understand who you are with the sense of loss you carry? You're experience of loss is deeply personal whatever has happened to you.

Overwhelming Emotions - Are you feeling sad or angry, or maybe you're carrying a heavy feeling of shame or guilt? Is it time to understand why?

Traumatic Experiences and Abuse - Do you need to heal the pain you've been carrying and begin to rebuild your life and who you are after what has happened to you?

How I can help

I will support you to understand and process the difficult emotions by exploring what feels unfair, heavy, or unclear. As we work together, we can begin to recognise the patterns that shape your thoughts, feelings, and relationships, and gently uncover what may be behind them. This can help you feel more connected to yourself, who you are and why you do things the way you do. I believe that working in this way will lead to increase your self-awareness, identify your true purpose in life, and raise your confidence. We will work at a pace that feels right for you and one that offers you the support and care you deserve.

What I offer

Individual Therapy - I work with individuals only.

Weekly or Fortnightly Therapy - 50-minute counselling sessions.

Single Session Therapy - 75-minute 'one-off' counselling session. 

I want you to get the support that feels right for you. If you’d like to have just one single session, or start gently with two or three weekly sessions, I’m happy to offer you what you need.

What to expect from my therapy sessions

If you choose weekly or fortnightly sessions these will take place on the same day and at the same time each week. Sessions can be in-person, online or over the phone and the number of sessions you decide to have will be entirely your choice. Usually, after the first few sessions, people I work with often tell me that they feel noticeably lighter and feel a sense of relief that is very much welcomed. Every few weeks we can take some time to discuss how the sessions are going, what's working well and what might need changing.

Single session therapy

If you are unsure if long-term therapy is right for you, or you don’t have the time to commit to weekly ongoing sessions, a single session can be helpful to address a concern that needs some immediate attention. Single Session Therapy is not about fixing everything in one session. It is about making one session meaningful, focused, and useful, while leaving open the option of further support if needed.

A single session can offer you a confidential, supportive space to focus on what matters most, talk through what has been difficult, and begin to understand what may be keeping the problem going. Together, we can identify your strengths, resources, and coping abilities, while developing practical strategies that feel realistic and manageable for you. By the end of the session, you can leave with a clearer sense of the next steps you can take. Single sessions are up to 75-minutes long and cost £120 for an online/telephone session or £150 for an in-person session. This price also includes a 15-minute follow-up telephone session, scheduled 4–6 weeks later.

Single Session Therapy could be a good fit if there’s something on your mind that you’d like to talk through, a decision you’re finding hard to make, or a situation where you feel a bit stuck. It can also be helpful if you’re dealing with a life change, relationship difficulty, emotional challenge, or you want to experience a therapy session to get a sense of how therapy might work for you.

My theoretical approach

My person-centred approach means that our work together will be led by you. I will not tell you what to do or decide what is best for you. Instead, I will support you to find your own answers while guiding you to work out how you can put your own needs first. I will help you find a way to grow your confidence and raise your self-esteem so you can be the best version of yourself. We will work at a pace that feels right for you and whatever you want to talk about in the sessions will be welcomed. My therapy space will be non-judgemental and fully accepting and a space where you can begin to work out how you can offer yourself what you need.

What are the next steps?

If you would like to work with me, you can call or message me on 07304 359518 or you can contact me by email or through my website provided at the top of this page. I will usually respond within a couple of hours, so please check your spam or junk folder for my reply. We will then arrange a free 20-minute telephone consultation where we can talk in more detail about what you are looking for and if I can provide you with what you need. You can ask me any questions you may have about therapy, how I work, and how we might work together. This first conversation will give you a sense of how it might feel to work with me and help you decide if I am the right counsellor for you. The decision to start therapy will be entirely your choice. 

Weekly and Fortnightly Therapy Prices

Online/telephone sessions are priced at £60

In-person sessions are priced at £75 

Sessions are 50-minutes long. 

Single Session Therapy Prices

Online/telephone session is £120 including follow-up session.

In-person session is £150 including follow-up session.

A single session is up to 75-minutes long. Follow-up session will take place over the phone and will be up to 15-minutes long.

Thank you for taking the time to read about me and how I work. I hope that my profile information has offered you an insight of what I can offer. If there’s anything else you would like to know about me, please reach out for a chat. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.