Claire Flood
About me
Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 outbreak I am unable to offer face to face appointments at this time. I am however responding to all enquiries made in the meantime and I will securely save contact details for clients who wish to be contacted once face to face work can resume. Thank you.
I am a fully qualified professional counsellor with in depth experience of creating strong and valuable therapeutic relationships with my clients. I believe it is the journey and experiences of the life I have led so far that have guided me towards becoming a counsellor. I have worked with many people from a variety of backgrounds at home and abroad. I have a core interest in what it means to be human in the world we live in. I am passionate about talking therapy and the insight and self-awareness it can bring.
I am a humanistic and integrative practitioner meaning I take a holistic approach to our work which is built on the core foundations of warmth, creativity, authenticity and non-judgment. I endevour to create a safe space for you to talk about whatever you feel you need to, a space to express yourself and to feel listened to.
As an integrative counsellor I use an informed awareness of a number of approaches that is guided by the work that develops between us.I specialise in depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, bereavement, self-harm, self-image, relationship difficulties, identity issues and mindfulness. The individual background to any story is unique and our work together is based on understanding and non-judgemental acceptance of you and your story.
I work from a comfortable and private room in Old Town, Swindon.
Training, qualifications & experience
Reading University – Certificate in Psychodynamic Theory and Counselling Skills
Bath Centre of Psychotherapy and Counselling – Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling
I gained my counselling diploma in 2014 after four years of in depth training with Bath Centre of Psychotherapy and Counselling. The experience of becoming a counsellor has been simply awe inspiring and has left me with a strong desire to develop myself professionally and to make a difference in the profession. During and beyond my training I worked as a volunteer counsellor for a charity based in East Berkshire. Over the years of working there I gained vast levels of experience in adult mental health with clients presenting with a varied range of issues. As well as being able to provide long and short term therapy, my voluntary work has given me the opportunity to meet and work with clients from a wide range of backgrounds. Diversity has been a central focus point in my experience so far.
Since qualifying I had been working in private practice up to 2016 when I took a maternity break. I have been a keen mindfulness enthusiast for many years, channelling this to areas such as yoga and meditation. Now this aspect of my personality naturally plays a part in the counselling relationship I offer, meaning that my aim is to encounter my clients mindfully and with gentle care.
Within all areas of my work I adhere to BACP's Ethical Framework.
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
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
Mindfulness, Self Identity, Loss of sense of self, Guilt
Therapies offered
Fees
£45 per 50 minute session.
I have a small number reduced fee sessions available for those on low income or benefits.
Further information
Taking the step to make contact may feel strange, nerve racking or possibly scary. However I aim to ensure that initial process is simple and safe. Firstly you can contact me either by phone or e-mail. Both the e-mail and answerphone services are private and secure. If I am not available at the time of contact I will return your call or message at the next available opportunity. We will then discuss an appropriate time to meet for an initial assessment. Here we can discuss the practicalities moving forward and whether you feel I'm the right counsellor for you.
