Counsellor Claire Sims, Stowmarket & Ipswich

About me

Hello and Welcome. Thank you for stopping by my profile and your interest in Revive Counselling Suffolk. I'm a qualified counsellor with more than 15 years experience.

I'm glad you are here. I’m not going to start by telling you what counselling is or how it can help because I’m guessing you already have an idea of that as you are starting to seek out a counsellor. If you are seeking information about counselling see the information pages on this site or on my website where hopefully you will find everything you need…. If not... I am only a phone call or email away. I am more than happy to help with any information or queries you may have.

What I’m going to start by saying is.. well done... if you’re starting to look for a counsellor or find out how counselling can help then you are realising that you aren’t where you want to be in life, that something needs to change, maybe you aren’t feeling happy. Maybe feelings are becoming overwhelming, or you feel you need support with experiences, relationships, or situations you have been through. It is a huge, brave first step when we recognise, we need support- it is so important that we have listened to ourselves and are finding ways to take care of our emotional wellbeing.

I can offer a non judgmental, safe, professional and therapeutic space to explore whatever you need to, to support you to make change. I am a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and abide by their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2018.

I look forward to speaking with you.

Training, qualifications & experience

I first started my training back in 2000 and started seeing clients in 2005 and since then have worked in a variety of settings. Most recently (since 2014) working with Suffolk Rape Crisis, supporting women and girls who are survivors of any form of sexual violence. For many years I have worked within local Mind centres (in Essex originally and more recent years for Suffolk Mind). Not only as an IAPT Counsellor (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) but on Helplines, as a support worker and managing counselling services. At Suffolk Mind I set up an emotional support helpline; Dementia counselling service and a telephone counselling service. At Suffolk Rape Crisis as well as seeing clients and running the counselling service, I set up an online video counselling service, as well as training other counsellors to work online & on the telephone. I have also worked with a service that provides groups & counselling to new mums and those with Post Natal depression. For more details see my website.

2000- 2003- Braintree College
FOUNDATION COURSE- BTEC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT- In counselling skills

2005- 2007- Braintree College
DIPLOMA -BTEC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT- In Psychodynamic Counselling

2010- BACP Accreditation
accredited- pass

BACP MBACP (Accred) Register number: 0022198

My training was in psychodynamic counselling and that’s at the core of how I work, but, as I have gone through my counselling life I have evolved and developed different ways of working, so I would now describe myself as an integrative counsellor. But what is important for you to know is that my work is client led, I’m here to work alongside you, to support you - you are in control and I’ll work with you in a way that suits you.

Over the past 20 years I have continued to learn and grow as a counsellor - I/we never stop learning and I'll never stop growing! I have completed an abundance of further training, development & qualifications over the years Including: