Claire West

You Don't Have to Do This Alone

Helping adults and young people understand themselves with curiosity, compassion and creativity, so they can live more fully as themselves.

Life can become incredibly hard when you've spent a long time trying to cope on your own. You might be feeling overwhelmed, anxious or exhausted, struggling with relationships, questioning who you are, or simply feeling as though life is harder than it seems to be for everyone else. Perhaps you're a young person trying to make sense of a world that feels confusing, or an adult who's reached a point where carrying everything alone no longer feels possible.

Therapy offers something different. It's a chance to slow down, be genuinely heard and become curious about yourself, without any pressure to have all the answers or to change before you're ready.

I offer counselling for adults and young people aged 13 years and over. Whatever has brought you here, we'll begin there.

I often work with people experiencing:

Anxiety, stress and overwhelm
Low self-esteem and confidence
Depression and low mood
Grief and loss
Relationship difficulties
Burnout and work-related stress
Neurodivergence, including those exploring diagnosis or wanting to better understand themselves
LGBTQ+ identity and belonging
Young people's emotional wellbeing (13+)
Life transitions and feeling "stuck"

You Are the Expert on Yourself

One of my core beliefs is that you are the expert on your own life.

My role isn't to tell you what to think or what decisions to make. Instead, together we'll gently untangle what's happening, making sense of your thoughts, feelings and experiences with curiosity rather than judgement. As we begin to understand the patterns that have shaped your life, you'll have the opportunity to discover new perspectives, recognise your own strengths and find a way forward that feels right for you.

I'm an integrative counsellor, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on your individual needs rather than expecting you to fit one particular model. Every person is different, so together we'll find a way of working that feels right for you.

As our therapeutic relationship develops and trust grows, I may gently offer observations or challenge beliefs that no longer feel helpful, always with care and at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Over time, my hope is that you'll come to understand yourself more deeply, trust yourself more fully and feel able to move forward in a way that feels authentic to who you are.

When Talking Isn't Enough

Sometimes words can be difficult to find. You might know something doesn't feel right but struggle to explain it, or find yourself talking about the same experiences without really understanding why they affect you so deeply.

Alongside talking therapy, I also offer Clay Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy and Parts Work.

Working creatively can help us explore emotions, relationships and experiences in ways that talking alone sometimes can't. Clay, in particular, can be both calming and grounding, allowing thoughts and feelings to emerge naturally without the pressure of finding the "right" words.

You don't need to be artistic or creative. There is no right or wrong way to work with clay, and these approaches are always optional. Some people simply find that having clay in their hands while they talk helps them feel more grounded. Others discover that creative work helps them understand themselves in ways that words alone haven't been able to.

My specialist training in Clay Therapy is one of the things that makes my practice a little different. For many people - particularly those who find emotions difficult to put into words - it offers a gentle yet powerful way of exploring their inner world.

About Me

Before becoming a counsellor, I spent over twenty years working in education. That experience gave me a deep understanding of the pressures faced by teachers, education staff, young people, families and trainee counsellors.

Today I work with adults and young people in private practice, alongside facilitating therapeutic clay groups and wellbeing workshops.

My personal life has also given me valuable insight into the experiences of neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ individuals. I understand how important it is to feel accepted, understood and valued, particularly if you've spent much of your life feeling different or misunderstood.

My own experience of therapy has also shaped the way I work. I know how much courage it takes to ask for help and how powerful it can be to have someone alongside you who is genuinely interested in understanding your world.

What Happens Next?

Taking the first step can feel daunting, so I'll aim to make the process as straightforward as possible.

If you decide to get in touch, I'll reply to arrange an initial session at my therapy room in St Ives. This gives us the opportunity to explore what's brought you to counselling, what you're hoping for and whether we feel we're the right fit to work together. It's also your chance to ask any questions.

There is no pressure to continue after our first meeting. Finding the right counsellor is important, and I want you to feel comfortable with whatever decision you make.

If we decide to work together, we'll agree a pace that feels right for you. Many people begin with weekly sessions, but we'll review this regularly as your needs change. Throughout our work, you'll remain in control of the process, and together we'll focus on what matters most to you.

Wherever you are right now, you're welcome to get in touch. We'll start there.

Teacher stress and burnout.

Therapeutic clay groups for home-educated teens.

Therapeutic clay groups for adults.

Evening appointments are available for online only sessions from September.