Dr Claire Clifford

Hi! I’m Claire and I’m a Counselling Psychologist.

I’ve always been fascinated by people. Long before I became a psychologist, I found myself wondering why two people could experience similar events yet make sense of them so differently, or why some experiences stay with us long after others have passed. That curiosity never really left me and naturally shaped my career.

It led me to complete a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, followed by an MSc in Health Psychology, and ultimately a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. Each stage taught me something different, but together they reinforced the belief that before we can understand someone’s difficulties, we first need to understand their story.

Alongside my studies, I also spent time as an unofficial carer and working within NHS settings. Those experiences shaped me just as much as my training, reminding me how deeply people need to feel understood, especially during life’s most difficult moments. They also showed me how our relationships, health, identities, and the wider systems around us all influence how we experience the world.

Many people arrive in therapy after years of trying to cope on their own, navigating a world that can feel rushed, demanding or lonely. My hope is to offer a warm, collaborative space where you don’t have to pretend, perform, or have everything figured out. Together, we can take the time to understand your experiences, what they mean to you, and how we might work towards the changes that feel most important in your life.

Starting therapy can feel daunting, particularly if you are unsure what to expect. You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out; we can simply begin where you are.

I tend to work in a warm, collaborative, and conversational way. We’ll spend time exploring what has brought you to therapy, what your experiences have been, and what you hope might feel different. I’ll ask questions, offer reflections, and together we will build an understanding of what is happening and where you’d like to go next.

I don’t believe there is any one right way to do therapy. Instead, I work collaboratively and will often ask questions like, “what feels right to you?”, “what would you like to get from our work together?”, or “what feels manageable at the moment?”. I value psychological research and evidence-based practice, but I also believe your own experiences, values, and preferences matter just as much. Above all, I aim to approach with curiosity rather than judgement.

My practice is grounded in a pluralistic approach, which means I don’t believe there is one therapeutic model that suits everyone. Instead, I tailor therapy to the individual, drawing on different approaches depending on your needs, preferences, and where you are in your life.

Depending on what feels most helpful, I draw on approaches including Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Gestalt Therapy and mindfulness-based approaches.

I’ve supported people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, life transitions, chronic health conditions and neurodiversity.

I also believe that therapy should move at a pace that feels manageable. Sometimes that means gently exploring difficult experiences. At other times, it means slowing down, building safety and strengthening coping strategies first. Together, we can decide what feels right for you.

Outside of work, I enjoy keeping active through resistance training, pilates, spinning and hiking. I love being outdoors, particularly when it involves fresh air, beautiful scenery and a good excuse to stop for coffee afterwards.

I also love reading, films, and gaming. Particularly anything involving fantasy or horror. I have a habit of telling myself “just one more chapter” or “just one more quest”… and then wondering where the evening disappeared.

Above all, I value spending time with family, friends and my dog. They keep me grounded when life gets noisy!