Claire James, BACP

Claire James is a qualified counsellor based in the United Kingdom with four years of professional experience working in both agency settings and private practice. She is a BACP member - that is, she holds a credential from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and brings a warm, nonjudgemental presence to her work. As a born again Christian she also has experience supporting people with questions and challenges related to faith and spirituality.

Her core practice is person centred counselling, which places the individual at the heart of the process and draws on each person’s strengths. Claire is also experienced in integrating other therapeutic models when appropriate, tailoring the approach through discussion, negotiation and regular review so the plan reflects the client’s needs and preferences. She believes that feeling accepted, listened to and understood creates the conditions for people to open up rather than shut down or become retraumatised.

Across her practice she has worked with people facing relationship difficulties, grief and loss, trauma, eating disorders, abuse, abandonment and fatherhood issues, as well as anger, depression, anxiety, self-harm and low self-esteem. She also supports those navigating life changes and patterns of repeating emotional pain, helping to identify triggers and to explore new ways of thinking and behaving. Claire has undertaken voluntary work with homeless young people and trained in college settings, and when a client’s needs fall outside her remit she can make referrals or signpost to further support.

Her style is collaborative and strength-based, inviting clients to be the experts in their own lives while offering professional guidance to set practical goals and work toward meaningful change.