Claire Whitlam
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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
Hi, I'm Claire, a person-centred counsellor based in Blackwell, Derbyshire. Being overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or emotionally exhausted can leave you feeling like you’re carrying everything alone. I offer a warm, confidential space where you can talk freely, be listened to deeply, and move at a pace that feels right for you.
Starting counselling can feel daunting, and I believe my role as a counsellor is to support you in navigating life’s challenges whilst offering a space where you feel truly heard, accepted, and understood — without judgement or agenda.
Having someone you can truly connect with can make all the difference - it helps you feel supported, understood, and valued.
My counselling practice is grounded in the belief that you don’t need to be “fixed.” I trust in your natural capacity for growth, healing, and change. Our work together is about reconnecting with your own courage, insight, and resilience so that you can live a fuller, more meaningful life.
Choosing counselling can be an important first step in taking care of your mental health. My practice isn’t about diagnosing or giving advice - it’s about us being fully present and creating a safe, supportive space where you can feel empowered, respected, and accepted. Together, we can explore what really matters to you.
I support people experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, low mood, relationship difficulties, grief, trauma, neurodiversity, and life transitions. While these experiences may form part of your story, my focus is on you as a whole person.”
I am a qualified counsellor and a member of BACP. I currently work as a volunteer for Cruse bereavement and SAIL (Sexual assault and incest) counselling services in Chesterfield, in person, supporting people within the local community.
I offer flexible counselling sessions, including face-to-face personal in-room support, online (Zoom) sessions for convenient online access, and telephone counselling for clients who prefer voice-only support.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BA (Hon) Social Sciences (Psychology)
- Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling ( Level 4) MBACP, PG Dip
- Cruse Bereavement Support Foundation Course
- Safeguarding adults level 2 and 3
- Open University Trauma-informed counselling course
- Open University Understanding anxiety and depression course
- The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training for Learning Disabilities
- Pre-trial therapy training for rape and sexual abuse victims
- Enhanced certificate of disclosure and barring
- Certificate in Telephone and Online Counselling Course
- Defining Gender, Sex, and Relationship Course GRSD (Pink therapy) LGBTQAI + Ally
- Ongoing professional Development CPD yearly
Member organisations
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
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 per session
When I work
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