Claire Debney
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About me
Sometimes you know something isn't quite right, but you can't quite put your finger on it. Sometimes you know exactly what's wrong. You may be living with the illness or death of someone important to you, coming to terms with a relationship ending, questioning your career or finding that life's responsibilities have become too much to carry alone. Sometimes there isn't one defining event, just a growing sense that life isn't quite how you want it to be.
I'm Claire, an integrative counsellor offering a thoughtful, supportive space to explore what's happening for you. I work with adults experiencing grief, bereavement and loss, life transitions, anxiety, burnout and work-related stress. I understand how work, responsibility and expectations can accumulate. I also understand the challenges of changing direction, particularly when so much of your identity has been tied to what you do.
How I work
I work relationally and integratively, drawing on different therapeutic approaches rather than expecting one model to suit everyone. I won't try to fit you into a particular framework or tell you what you should do.
We'll work together to understand what's happening for you, at a pace that feels manageable. Sometimes that means looking back and exploring where feelings or patterns might come from. Sometimes it's about making sense of what's happening now, or finding space to consider what might come next.
The relationship between us matters. I want you to feel able to be honest, including about things that may be difficult to say out loud. I'll listen carefully, ask questions when they might help and give you space when you need it. You remain the expert in your own life.
Who I work with
I have a particular interest and experience in grief, bereavement and loss. This includes the death of someone important, but also the many less visible losses we experience throughout life: the end of a relationship, changes in family circumstances, the loss of a career or professional identity, changing expectations, or the life we thought we would have.
I don't believe there is a hierarchy of loss. We cannot judge the significance of someone else's experience or assume that one loss matters more than another. What matters is what it means to you, how it affects your life and the space you need to make sense of it.
I also work with people experiencing anxiety, burnout, work-related stress, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem and periods of uncertainty or change. Sometimes several things are happening at once; sometimes there isn't one obvious reason for how you feel.
Whatever has brought you to counselling, you don't need to justify how you feel or compare your experience with anyone else's.
Working together
I offer in-person counselling in Teddington and online sessions wherever you are based in the UK. I aim to provide a thoughtful, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly and explore whatever has brought you here. You don't need to arrive with a clear idea of what you want from therapy. Sometimes simply having the opportunity to talk things through is where things begin to make sense.
Training, qualifications & experience
Counselling
- Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), MBACP
- Accredited Registrant of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), MNCPS (Acc.)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, 2016.
Professional Experience
Before training as a counsellor, I spent over 20 years in the corporate world, including senior international roles and working as General Counsel within a global organisation.
Alongside my legal career, I developed extensive experience in executive coaching and mentoring, supporting individuals with professional development, resilience, leadership and career transitions. I also teach counselling education at St Mary's University in Twickenham as a tutor for CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills.
My counselling experience includes working with adults experiencing bereavement and loss through Bereft Bereavement Support in Ealing and, since January 2025, volunteering with Cruse Bereavement Support. I have also worked with children in a school setting as part of my counselling training.
Alongside my professional work, I am also a trustee of Richmond Borough Mind, reflecting my commitment to supporting mental health and wellbeing in my local community.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I am currently completing my Pet Loss certification through Blue Cross. Expected completion November 2026.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £95.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individual counselling sessions are £70 for 50 minutes or £95 for 75 minutes. Sessions can be weekly or fortnightly.
Concessionary rates are available for students and trainee counsellors. Please get in touch to discuss eligibility.
I offer a free, no-obligation 20-minute introductory conversation online or by phone, giving us an opportunity to meet, talk about what brings you to counselling, and consider whether working together feels right.
When I work
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Further information
Alongside counselling, I offer coaching, drawing on my postgraduate qualification in executive coaching and mentoring and my professional experience.
Counselling and coaching are different ways of working, although there can be some common ground. Counselling may offer space to explore feelings, experiences and patterns in greater depth. Coaching is generally more focused on the present and future, helping you clarify what matters, consider possibilities and identify a way forward.
We can discuss which approach might be most appropriate for what you are looking for.
