About us
Welcome to my profile! I'm Helen, an experienced integrative counsellor and clinical supervisor offering a warm, supportive and non-judgemental approach. My private practice, Helen Clair Counselling, is based in Portishead.
How counselling can help
Life can feel difficult at times, and there may be moments when things feel overwhelming, confusing or hard to make sense of. Perhaps you're struggling with anxiety, stress, low mood, relationship difficulties or loss. You may be affected by past experiences or trauma, caught in unhelpful thought patterns, or facing decisions and changes that feel difficult to navigate. Sometimes, you may simply know that something doesn't feel right, without being sure why.
Counselling offers an opportunity to pause, talk things through and explore what's happening for you in a space where you feel heard, understood and accepted.
As an integrative counsellor, I recognise that no single approach works for everyone. We all have different experiences, needs and ways of making sense of the world, so I tailor our work to you and your individual circumstances. Together, we can explore how your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and life experiences may be connected, helping you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and what you need.
I aim to build a warm, trusting and non-judgemental relationship where you can talk openly and explore difficult feelings at your own pace. I believe you are the expert in your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you as you make sense of your experiences, recognise your own strengths and discover a way forward that feels right for you.
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, particularly if you're used to managing things on your own. You don't need to have everything worked out before we meet. We can start wherever you are, with whatever feels important to you.
I'm here to help and look forward to hearing from you!
Training, qualifications & experience
I have supported people experiencing a range of difficulties, including anxiety, stress, grief, depression, bullying, trauma, burnout, abuse and family difficulties. I have a particular interest in anxiety and stress-related issues.
My experience includes working with charitable organisations providing low-cost counselling services across the South West, as well as supporting children and young people as a school counsellor.
Clinical Supervision
I also offer clinical supervision to qualified and trainee counsellors. My approach is collaborative and relational, offering a supportive space where we can think together about client work, reflect on practice, explore challenges and deepen understanding, with ethical practice at the heart of our work.
For more information about my supervision approach, fees and availability, please visit my dedicated clinical supervision profile on Counselling Directory.
I hold the following qualifications
- Batchelor of Science with Honours Degree in Counselling (First Class honours - Bath Spa)
- Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling (Distinction - Bath Spa)
- Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision Including Online and Telephone Working
- Level 4 Advanced Counsellor and Psychotherapist Certificate
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling
- Mental Health First Aider - MHFA England
- Safeguarding Training - Adults & Children
- Trauma & The Body Training -Carolyn Spring
- Experience working with Neurodivergence
- Experience Working with Children & Young People
- Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- DBS
- Fully Insured
- Committed to ongoing professional development
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.
Areas of counselling we deal with
Other areas of counselling we deal with
Outdoor Therapy
I also offer Outdoor Therapy, which can be a beneficial option for those who feel more comfortable connecting in natural environments. Some clients find it easier to open up while strolling along side-by-side, while others simply prefer the calming effect of being outdoors. This option is available based on my location and weather conditions, and we can discuss how it could work for you during an initial session, ensuring it's accessible and comfortable regardless of mobility.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Concessionary Counselling Fees
I offer two concessionary spaces for students and individuals on low incomes. These spaces are available at a reduced rate of £35.00 for a 50-minute session, for an initial block of six sessions, followed by a review. This is to help make counselling more accessible.
To ensure these spaces are fairly allocated, I kindly ask that you provide proof of your student status, or low-income status when inquiring about availability.
Please note that these spaces are limited. Once they are filled, I can add you to a waiting list for a reduced-rate space, which will become available when an existing concessionary space opens up again.
If you are interested, please get in touch to check availability. I'd be happy to discuss how I can support you.
Telephone Consultation
I offer a complimentary 15-minute telephone consultation to help you determine if you feel comfortable working with me, which is a key consideration in finding the right counsellor.
First Session
If you choose to continue, we'll schedule your first session (50-minutes long), where you can share your reasons for seeking counselling, talk about the challenges you've been experiencing, explore potential ways we can work together, and clarify your goals for counselling, as part of your assessment.
When we work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
My private practice is located in Portishead, which is easily accessible by car from Junction 19 of the M5. If traveling by bus (X4, X5) from central Bristol, the journey takes around 45 minutes, while driving typically takes about 25 minutes.
