Claire Smith, BACP

Claire Smith is a counsellor practising in the United Kingdom. She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family conflict, grief, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related concerns. She also helps with issues such as low mood, eating difficulties, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem and coping with life changes. Claire holds BACP accreditation and has four years of professional experience.

Claire adapts her approach to each person. She listens first and shapes discussions around what feels most relevant to the individual. Sessions focus on practical steps as well as exploring feelings, so people leave with clearer ways to manage day-to-day challenges. Claire uses a mix of approaches rather than one fixed method.

Her background includes work in a NHS children’s crisis unit where she supported people facing severe mental health concerns and high-risk situations. That experience informs how she responds calmly to distress and plans for safety when needed. She also has experience supporting people with neurodiversity, including attention difficulties and autism.

In sessions Claire aims to create a respectful, compassionate space. She says the first step takes courage and invites clients to move at a pace that feels right. Practical tools, clearer communication patterns and attention to attachment and life values often feature in her work.

People meet a counsellor who combines talking, skill-building and planning. Claire explains options and helps each person choose steps that fit their life and goals.

How her approaches shape online support

Claire draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Attachment-Based Therapy alongside client-centred ways of working. ACT focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed by them, and on clarifying what matters most so actions can match personal values. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationships affect current patterns, and it helps people understand and change how they relate to others.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Claire treats this as a collaborative process, talking with each person about goals and preferences. Together they try methods that fit the individual's needs and adjust the plan over time if something does not feel helpful.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm the exact formats before booking because the biography does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around daily life, reduce travel time, and let people try shorter check-ins or regular therapy without rearranging as much. Some formats may be better for different tasks - for example, a brief call can suit a short check-in, while a longer meeting may be useful for deeper emotional work. Registered or accredited professionals can help you choose the best rhythm and format for your situation.