Claire Payne, NCPS

Claire Payne is a counsellor who welcomes people taking a first step towards change. She holds NCPS and works from a independent practice base in Torbay, Devon. Claire offers in-person sessions locally and remote sessions across the UK. Claire brings three years of counselling practice alongside over 30 years' background in social care work. She describes her approach as integrative, drawing on Person Centred, Gestalt and cognitive behavioural techniques. She also offers Sand Tray work for people who find words difficult to use. Sessions are arranged to match a person's pace and style. Claire supports short or longer-term work, and focuses on issues connected to family life, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, career stress and compassion fatigue. She also attends to concerns such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, caregiver stress, communication problems and control issues. Other areas she works with include separation and divorce, guilt and shame, forgiveness, impulsivity, loneliness, life purpose and midlife transitions. She lists post-traumatic stress, pregnancy and childbirth-related concerns, and difficulties linked to narcissism among her focus areas. Claire practices in English. She does not take international clients. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time, and fees vary with location and therapist availability. To begin, users are invited to use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Therapeutic approaches and remote working

Claire uses a mix of Person Centred, Gestalt and cognitive behavioural approaches. Person Centred work focuses on listening and creating a supportive environment so people can find their own answers; it helps when someone needs time and acceptance to sort things out. Gestalt techniques encourage awareness of feelings and present-moment experience, which can be useful for addressing relationship patterns and unresolved emotions. Cognitive behavioural methods look at thoughts and behaviours and aim to develop practical strategies for managing stress, mood and unhelpful reactions.

Deciding which approach to use is part of the therapeutic conversation. Claire will work collaboratively to identify what fits best for a person's needs, goals and preferences, and may combine elements from different approaches as the work progresses.

She offers in-person sessions locally and remote sessions across the UK, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online or remote work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, childcare or travel, and can reduce time spent commuting. Remote sessions can also be adapted to shorter check-ins or to suit quieter surroundings or lower bandwidth when needed. Registered or accredited professionals can support progress effectively through remote contact when that format suits the person.