Claire Phillips, BACP

Claire Phillips is a counsellor with ten years of professional experience and registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She introduces herself simply and aims to make people feel heard. Claire creates a calm space where clients can say difficult things without judgement. She works in a person-centred way, listening closely and following the person rather than imposing a rigid plan. That approach is often combined with practical tools drawn from cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness to help with unhelpful thoughts and daily stress. Motivational interviewing is used when people are struggling with addiction or finding change difficult. Claire has worked in a wide range of settings across the last decade. Her roles have included work in NHS surgeries, prisons and drop-in centres, and in care home settings with children and young adults. Many of those referrals involved self-harm, suicidal thoughts and drug or alcohol problems, giving her experience with complex and high-risk presentations. Her time living and working in South East Asia, and long residence in South East London, inform a culturally aware style. Claire describes trauma as affecting thinking, body and behaviour, and she attends to all of those areas in sessions. She aims to help people identify their strengths and take manageable steps towards change. People who come to Claire often want a warm, listening therapist who offers straightforward strategies and supports personal discovery. She encourages small, practical changes alongside reflective talking work. To start, clients use the site process to match and schedule sessions.

Using Person-centred and CBT ideas online

Claire integrates person-centred work with cognitive behavioural techniques. Person-centred therapy focuses on empathic listening and helping people explore their feelings at their own pace. It is useful when someone needs emotional support and a non-judgemental space to talk. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions and offers practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it can help with anxiety, low mood and sleep problems. Motivational interviewing is also part of her toolkit and can be used when people face ambivalence about change, for example with substance use. Together these approaches give space for listening alongside clear steps to try between sessions. Claire will work collaboratively to choose what fits a person’s goals and preferences rather than imposing a single method. If you are considering online therapy, check the available session options before booking as the biography does not specify formats. Many people find online work helps them fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and keep appointments during life transitions. Others value being able to combine reflective talking with brief practical exercises at home. Registered or accredited professionals can adapt these approaches for remote sessions, and Claire will discuss how to shape sessions so they meet your needs.