Claire Manchester
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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
Welcome!
If you’ve found yourself here, you might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply in need of space to pause and reconnect with yourself. Reaching out for support can feel daunting, but it’s also a meaningful step towards caring for your emotional well-being. I offer a calm, compassionate space where you can feel safe, heard, and supported as you begin that journey.
I’m a fully accredited Senior Cognitive Behavioural and EMDR Psychotherapist with experience in NHS and third-sector services. My approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. I draw on a range of therapeutic models, including CBT, EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness-Based CBT (MBCT), and CBT-E. This integrative way of working allows me to tailor therapy to meet your unique needs - whether you’re navigating trauma, anxiety, low self-worth or life transitions.
Before training as a therapist, I completed a BSc in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work. I worked for many years supporting individuals and families facing complex emotional and psychological difficulties. My specialist focus was supporting people impacted by sexual violence and exploitation, an area I continue to work with in therapy today. These early experiences gave me a strong foundation in understanding trauma, systemic harm, and the many factors that shape our mental health.
In therapy, we’ll take time to explore what’s happening beneath the surface, not just the symptoms, but the story behind them. I view therapy as a collaborative process: we make sense of things together, with you leading the way and me offering insight and steady support.
My work is informed by a holistic, bio-psycho-social view of mental health, recognising how our thoughts, emotions, relationships, physical health, and environment all interact. I also bring an understanding of attachment, development, and the systems we live within, all of which shape how I approach therapy.
I have particular experience in working with PTSD, OCD, anxiety, phobias, body image concerns, emotional regulation difficulties, and self-esteem. Whether you’re carrying the effects of trauma, living with ongoing anxiety, or feeling emotionally exhausted, I’m here to support you with care, curiosity, and clarity.
I’m committed to inclusive and affirming care. I understand how cultural identity, background, and intergenerational dynamics influence how we experience and express distress. Therapy should feel relevant, respectful, and welcoming to every part of who you are, including those that may have felt unseen or unheard.
If you’re ready to begin this work, I’d be honoured to support you.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BSc (Honours) Psychology
- MSc Social Work
- OCN Level 3 Working with Gang affected young people experiencing domestic and sexual violence
- 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training - Shiva Shakti Yoga
- 80 hour Pregnancy, Prenatal and Mother and Baby Yoga training
- Post graduate diploma in Psychological Interventions (CBT)
- EMDR Europe - Part 1-4
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) ongoing
- Compassion Focused Therapy for Trauma
- Emotional Schema Therapy
- Chair work in CBT
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 BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or development of CBT. BABCP also provides accreditation for CBT therapists. BABCP accredited members adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics in the Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and are willing to be scrutinised in this adherence as required.
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
Fees
£85.00 - £125.00
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
My session fees range from £85 to £125. This reflects the type of therapy offered (including CBT, EMDR, and integrative approaches) as well as the format, whether sessions are online or face-to-face.
I offer reduced rates for block bookings, and I’m happy to discuss what might work best for your needs and circumstances.
When I work
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I’m expanding my capacity and will have availability starting in August: Wednesdays (9am–6pm online), Thursdays (9am–5pm online), and Fridays (9am–5pm in person).
