About me

You may know that something in your life or relationships doesn’t feel right, even if you can’t quite put it into words. Perhaps you feel stuck in patterns that keep repeating, disconnected from yourself or others, or you’re carrying the impact of experiences from your past.

Therapy offers a space to slow down, understand what is happening beneath the surface and begin to make sense of the patterns that have shaped how you relate to yourself and the people around you.

I work with individuals, couples and people in diverse relationship structures. I have particular experience supporting people with relationship difficulties, trauma, abuse and neglect, as well as those wanting to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and create meaningful change in their lives.

Individual Therapy

Our experiences can shape the way we see ourselves, what we expect from relationships and how we respond when we feel hurt, rejected, overwhelmed or unsafe.

Together, we can explore where these patterns began, understand the ways they may once have protected you, and consider whether they still serve you now. Therapy can support you to reconnect with yourself, recognise and communicate your needs, develop greater self-awareness and build a stronger sense of security in who you are.

Couples & Relationship Therapy

Relationships can become stuck in painful cycles where the same arguments, disconnection or difficulties seem to happen repeatedly.

I work with couples and people in diverse relationship structures to understand these patterns, improve communication, rebuild trust and create greater emotional and relational connection.

Relationship therapy isn’t simply about keeping a relationship together. It can also provide a space to understand what is happening between you and make thoughtful decisions about what you want your relationship to become.

I also offer Couples Therapy Intensives for those who would benefit from longer, more focused sessions.

How I Work

My main training and theoretical background is Transactional Analysis and Relational Integrative Psychotherapy. I also draw on trauma-informed approaches and nervous system regulation within my work.

The therapeutic relationship is an important part of how I work. My aim is to offer a warm, thoughtful and attuned space where you can explore difficult experiences without judgement, while also being gently challenged to understand yourself and your relationships in new ways.

I offer short-term and longer-term online therapy for individuals and couples.

If you are considering working with me, you can visit my website to find out more about my approach, current fees and session options, and book a session directly.

Training, qualifications & experience

Experience

I have been working as a therapist since 2010 and specialising in couples and relationship therapy since 2013.

Alongside my private practice, I have worked within specialist services supporting people who have experienced sexual trauma, as well as within prison services providing individual and group trauma therapy. I have considerable experience working with the longer-term impact of trauma, including childhood trauma, abuse and neglect.

I have extensive experience providing therapy for NHS and GP surgery staff and, for several years, facilitated stress and anxiety training for NHS employees. I frequently work with people experiencing significant anxiety and incorporate nervous system regulation into my practice, helping clients gradually build their capacity to manage situations that feel overwhelming or challenging.

I also spent five years working within Mental Health Rehabilitation services.

I have substantial experience working with neurodivergent clients, including Autistic and ADHD clients, those who have received a later-in-life diagnosis, and people currently exploring or seeking a diagnosis.

Alongside my therapy practice, I provide individual and group clinical supervision to therapists and organisations across the UK. Please see my supervision profile or website for further information.

Relationship & Couples Therapy

I am a qualified Relationship Therapist and have been working therapeutically with couples and relationships since 2013.

I have trained in a range of approaches to couples therapy, with extensive and ongoing training in the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy through The Couples Institute. This specialist approach integrates Attachment Theory, Differentiation Theory and Neuroscience to understand both individual development and the dynamics that develop between partners.

I work with people across a wide range of relationships and identities, including LGBTQ+ relationships, polyamorous relationships and consensual non-monogamy.

Relationship therapy provides an opportunity to understand what is happening between you, work through difficulties in your current relationship and explore how past experiences may be influencing the way you relate to one another today.

An important part of the work is developing a greater understanding of yourself, your partner and the patterns of interaction that have developed between you. Therapy can help you recognise and interrupt unhelpful cycles, communicate differently and develop healthier ways of responding to one another without compromising your individual values, integrity or sense of self.

Alongside regular relationship therapy, I offer bespoke Couples Therapy Intensives for those wanting a more focused and immersive approach. Intensives can take place over one to three days, depending on your needs and circumstances.
Further information is available on my website.

Sex Therapy

I am trained in assessing and treating sexual issues within psychotherapy and undertake ongoing professional development in this area.

Sex therapy provides a confidential, non-judgemental space to explore difficulties or questions relating to sex, intimacy, desire, pleasure and connection.

People come to sex therapy for many different reasons, including:

• Feeling disconnected from sexual desire

• Differences in desire or libido within a relationship

• Difficulties with arousal or orgasm

• Pain or discomfort during sex

• Vaginismus and vaginal dryness/atrophy

• Erectile difficulties

• Delayed or premature ejaculation

• The impact of stress, shame or identity on sexuality

• Difficulties with sexual intimacy following sexual trauma

• Reconnecting with sexuality and pleasure

Sexual difficulties rarely exist in isolation. Together, we can explore the emotional, relational and psychological factors that may be contributing to what you are experiencing, while considering ways to develop a safer and more fulfilling relationship with sex, intimacy and your body.

Relationship/Couples Therapy Training

• The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy (The Couples Institute) 2023 - Ongoing

• Assessing & Treating Sex Issues in Psychotherapy - Institute for Relational Intimacy (2024-Ongoing)

• Advanced Certificate in Couples & Relationship Counselling (2014).
• Certificate in Couples Counselling (2013).

• Advanced Certificate in Working with Affairs & Trauma
• Working with Common Sexual Difficulties in Women (COSRT)
• Cert. TA (Transactional Analysis) and Working with Couples (2012)
• Cert. Can We Repair After the Affair
• Cert. Forgiveness After the Affair
• Cert. The Symbiotic Power Struggles in Relationships
• Cert. Domestic Abuse Awareness
• Cert. BDSM/Kink
• Cert. Infidelity & Trauma in Relationships
• Cert. Working with Couples Online (The Couples Institute).
• Cert. Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity in Modern Relationships (COSRT).
• Cert. Queer Relationships & Queer Therapy (COSRT).
• Cert. How to Love After Childhood Trauma

Psychotherapy & Counselling Training

• Post Graduate Diploma in Transactional Analysis & Integrative Psychotherapy (Level 7. 2016-2020).
• Certificate in The Theory & Methods of Relational & Integrative Psychotherapy (2021-2023).
• Certificate in Supervision - Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy (2015 - Level 7).
• Diploma in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy (2008-2012).
• Cert. Counselling Skills (2009)
• Cert. Counselling Concepts (2008)
• 101 Transactional Analysis Certificate (2016)
• Advanced Certificate in Trauma Informed Therapy. (2018)
• Cert. Working with Eating Disorders
• Cert. Working with Therapy Groups
• Cert. Navigating your Nervous System

Neurodiversity / Neurodivergence Training

• Cert. Understanding Autism
• Cert. The Inner World of Asperger’s
• Cert. Introduction to Child Development
• Cert. Neurobiology & Human Development
• Cert. Understanding ADHD
• Cert. Neurodiversity

Short Term Courses

• Cert. Psychology of Sexualised Trauma
• Cert. The Psychology of a Sex Offender
• Cert. Working Therapeutically with Survivors of Sexualised Trauma
• Workshop: Working with Addiction
• Diploma in Social Care (2011)
• Certificate in Child & Adolescent Studies (2014)
• Workshop: Transgender Awareness
• Workshop: Attachment Theory & Psychotherapy

Member organisations

Accredited register membership

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Telephone & Online sessions available, both within the UK & Internationally.

Supervision for both qualified counsellors, and counsellors in training.

Staff support / Clinical & Reflective Supervision within organisations (Individuals & Groups - See Supervision Profile)

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Upcoming events

Ongoing

Online group supervision for couples and relationship therapists

This supervision group is built for therapists working with couples and relationships: one two-hour session a month for six months, in a group of no m...

Fees

Health Insurance/EAP

WPA

Additional information

For current session fees, availability and to book an appointment, please visit my website.

Telephone and online (Zoom) sessions are available, both within the UK & Internationally.

When I work

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

To ensure I can help clients in the best way possible I enhance my professional practice by regularly working in supervision, therapy and participating in professional learning programmes.

I am a Registered Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy)

I am currently going through the process of registration with UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and adhere to their ethical framework and guidelines.

I am fully and comprehensively insured.

I hold a current and up to date DBS.

I offer supervision for qualified counsellors, and counsellors in training.
Please refer to my supervision profile. Alternatively please visit my website where you can book directly through a secure booking link.

Confidentiality

All therapy I provide is confidential. There are some situations, however, when I will not guarantee this. If I consider you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else I will break confidentiality. However, this is discussed and agreed between us at intake.

Claire Ratcliffe