Claire Hinton
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
If you've found yourself here, chances are you may have been finding things difficult for a while.
Maybe your mind won't switch off, maybe you're lying awake at night replaying conversations, worrying about things that haven't happened yet, or wondering how much longer you can keep going like this.
Perhaps you're feeling exhausted all the time, unable to settle. You find yourself snapping at the people you love, then the guilt eats away at you afterwards. You put on 'the mask' for everyone else, but inside you're struggling.
Or maybe there isn't one big problem, you just know that something doesn't feel right. You don't feel like yourself anymore.
Many of the people I work with come to counselling feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, lost, disconnected, burnt out, or overall emotionally drained. Some are coping with grief, relationship issues, low self-worth or painful experiences from the past. Others simply reach a point where carrying everything alone has become too much.
Whatever has brought you to my profile, know you don't have to face it on your own.
I'm Claire, I run my own private practice - Clarus Counselling and Wellbeing.
I like to offer a warm, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about what's really going on. A place where you don't have to keep it together, have the right words, or pretend you're coping when you're not.
My role isn't to tell you what to do, or who you should be. It's to listen, understand, support and walk alongside you while we make sense of what's happening in your life.
Many of my clients tell me they quickly felt comfortable talking to me, even about things they've never spoken about before. That's because I firmly believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine human relationship - built on trust, safety and understanding.
My Counselling Style
I work as an integrative therapist, as no two people are the same, so I don't believe therapy should be either. My sessions are influenced by Person-Centred therapy, Psychodynamic exploration, and CBT tools. Some people want to understand why they're feeling the way they are, others are looking for practical ways to manage their emotions or overwhelming situations. Most people want a bit of both. Together we'll explore what's happening for you, what's keeping you stuck, and what might help things feel different. We might look at patterns in your life, relationships, thoughts and emotions, while I guide you in finding practical ways to cope.
You don't need to know exactly what's wrong before starting counselling. You don't need a label or diagnosis. You don't need the perfect words. You simply need a place to begin - and we can start with where you're at right now.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a professionally qualified and insured Integrative Counsellor and a registered member of the BACP.
For over ten years I have supported young people (13+) and adults across community, voluntary and wellbeing services throughout Northern Ireland.
During that time I have worked with people experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, abuse, bereavement, loss, relationship issues, stress, life transitions and many more complex difficulties.
Alongside my counselling work, I previously trained and worked as a professionally qualified Youth Worker and wellbeing facilitator, providing both one-to-one and group support.
Qualifications include:
- Ulster University Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling (Distinction)
- Ulster University Bachelors Degree in Community Youth Work (1st Class Honors)
- Ulster University L4 Certificate in Community Youth Work
- Cornell University: Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certificate
- Blackfort Adolescent Gestalt Institute: Professional Certificate in Adolescent Studies
- AQA L2 Counselling Practice
- Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools Certificate
- Connections Link Life Suicide Awareness & Intervention Certificate
- AWARE NI: L2 Mental Health First Aid
- Child Protection & Adult Safeguarding Certificates
- Access NI Checked and Approved
The above is simply a short snapshot, I have undertook a wide breadth of training, and complete regular Continuing Professional Development to ensure my work remains safe, ethical and effective.
Taking The First Step
I understand reaching out for support can feel daunting, many people worry they'll say the wrong thing, become emotional, or not know where to start. That's completely okay.
A first session will give you a chance to get a feel for me and how I work. Finding the right counsellor is important, and I believe you should have the opportunity to decide whether I feel like the right fit for you.
You don't need to prepare anything before your first session, this is the beginning of me supporting you. You don't need to have it all figured out, simply come as you are.
If and when you're ready to take that first step, know that I would be honoured to walk alongside you.
Member organisations
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
£55 per 50 minute session for an individual.
I offer both Face to Face, and Online Video Call sessions
When I work
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