Claire Hope

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About me

Hi, I'm Claire, a practicing child and adolescent psychodynamic psychotherapist (BACP) with over 25 years’ experience working as a music therapist (HCPC).

THERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Recognising the many challenges that children and adolescents face throughout their development, my work encompasses all developmental stages (infancy, primary school age children, adolescents, young adults, and adults). Specialising in neurodiversity and children who have experienced bereavement or trauma, I work in diverse community settings and welcome all young people. The lasting effects of the pandemic, in addition to other external factors, have impacted young peoples' mental health culminating in increased anxiety, stress, school avoidance and low mood.

I understand that if you’re a parent worried about your child, whatever age they are, it may be hard to work out what therapy can help. 

I offer a child-centred approach with the aim to create a safe therapeutic space for young people to work through their difficulties. According to the needs of each individual, I can offer psychodynamic psychotherapy, music therapy or a combination of both. The way a young person responds gives me insight into the conflicts and difficulties they may be experiencing.

My practice is set in a bright room with a variety of toys, materials, and musical instruments available. For children aged 2 – 12, psychotherapy sessions can involve talking, drawing and play. Adolescents may prefer to talk but can also access art or sensory materials. 

THERAPY FOR ADULTS

I offer music therapy and/or psychotherapy sessions to adults. I have been working as a music therapist for over 25 years with people of all ages and specialise in working with musicians, students, arts therapists, neurodiversity, anxiety, bereavement, trauma and supporting parents (reflecting on family dynamics). I am also a practicing child and adolescent psychodynamic psychotherapist and integrate psychodynamic psychotherapy thinking and theory alongside aspects of music therapy. 

I work flexibly according to the need of each person. This may mean that someone chooses to talk for most of the session and improvise (with musical instruments or voice) for a small part of the session, or choose to improvise more than talking, or they choose to only talk. I also offer online sessions if it's not possible to attend in person, but, if possible, would recommend to try an initial meeting in person.

A period of assessment (1-3 sessions) is recommended, during which we will explore what has brought you to therapy and to reflect on any significant events. These initial sessions are an opportunity to see whether you feel my approach suits you. If you decide you would like to continue, we can agree on a therapy plan (number of sessions etc) or decide to engage in a more open-ended approach. 

Training, qualifications & experience

I hold a master’s in music therapy (MMT, 2001) and a master’s in child and adolescent psychodynamic psychotherapy (MSc, 2024). I am registered with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) and British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I hold an enhanced DBS, Level 4 Safeguarding with children and adolescents and Level 3 Safeguarding with adults.

Over the years, I have worked in a variety of contexts (special needs, mainstream, primary and secondary schools; children centres; CAMHS/NHS; music therapy clinic; universities; and private practice), providing me with a high level of experience with children, adolescents, and adults. 

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

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.

HCPC
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.

They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.

Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I have over twenty years of experience working with early years, latency, adolescents and young adults in the following areas:

LAC

adopted children

selective mutism

children with English as a second language

children with a sibling with neurodiversity

parent baby groups

speech and language delay

Therapies offered

Fees

£65.00 - £75.00

Additional information

Initial 50 minute assessment session: £75

Ongoing/regular fee: £65

Parent consultations and review meetings: £65

Further information

What you can expect when you get in touch:

I offer a free 30-minute consultation to explain the type of therapies I provide and to hear your main concerns. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and find out if it’s the right fit for you/your child. If you’re looking to better understand your own or your child’s emotional needs, we can talk about how this approach can support you.

In all aspects of my work, I consider the whole child/person (home life, school, relationships, culture etc). When working with children, this involves a parent/carer meeting before starting treatment. This will last approximately one hour and will involve discussing developmental history, particular childhood events, significant relationships, and the main current concerns.

  • Once we have agreed on a session time, I recommend 1-3, 50-minute sessions as an assessment period. If possible, it is helpful to have these initial sessions in person, I do also offer online sessions depending on the need/age of the young person. 
  • This is then followed by a therapy plan with the agreed number of sessions between the young person and their family/main carer.
  • Parent review sessions are recommended throughout a young person’s therapy, at the start of therapy and termly if possible and at the end. 

London, Greater London, N22

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Families
Groups

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Additional languages

French, basic Greek (I have a good understanding of Greek)

Online platforms

Microsoft Teams
Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

I am listed on the BAMT register of music therapists ( www.bamt.org). For more details please see my website (clairehopetherapy.com)

View supervision profile

Claire Hope
Claire Hope