Claire PhillipsBACP

Claire Phillips is a counsellor with ten years of professional experience and registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She presents a straightforward, calm manner and aims to create a space where people can talk about difficult feelings. Claire describes her work as person-centred and grounded in listening and empathy.

She focuses on practical conversations that help people notice patterns in thinking and behaviour. Claire draws on attachment-based ideas and cognitive behavioural techniques alongside mindfulness and motivational interviewing where appropriate. These approaches are used to address issues such as anxiety, depression, addictions and trauma-related problems.

Claire has worked in a range of settings including NHS surgeries, prisons and drop-in centres. She has experience supporting people who have self-harmed, experienced suicidal thoughts, or struggled with substance misuse. This background informs a steady, non-judgemental way of working with complex situations.

Having lived and worked in South East Asia and South East London, Claire says she brings cultural awareness into sessions. She often helps people who are coping with life changes, relationship difficulties, parenting strain, grief and questions about identity.

Her aim is to help people identify strengths and take small, manageable steps forward. Claire invites clients to explore painful feelings at a pace that feels tolerable, and to find new perspectives that support ongoing self-discovery.

Approaches that translate well to online counselling

Attachment-based work focuses on how early relationships shape current patterns. Online sessions can help people notice relational patterns and try out new ways of relating in everyday life. Client-centred counselling concentrates on the person’s experience and priorities, using empathic listening and reflection to help people feel understood and to clarify what they want to change. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) aims to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and to introduce practical tools to manage symptoms such as anxiety or low mood.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Claire will discuss options with each person and tailor the mix of methods to their goals, preferences and what feels manageable. The process is collaborative and paced to suit the individual.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so please confirm available options before booking. In general, online counselling can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also help people access therapists across regions, which supports continuity of care when someone is travelling or based abroad.