CS Portrait of Claire Sims

Claire Sims, BACP

Experienced psychodynamic counsellor for anxiety and stress

20 years in practice · based in United Kingdom · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Claire

Claire Sims is a counsellor with two decades of experience working in the United Kingdom. She trained in psychodynamic counselling and has been helping people face stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief and other life problems since 2005. Claire aims to work at each person's pace and to keep them involved in decisions about their care.

Her work is shaped by a long history in different roles, including helplines, bereavement support, and services for those affected by sexual and domestic violence.

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Background and approach

That variety means she is used to sudden crises and slow, steady change. She speaks plainly about practical next steps and makes space for difficult feelings. Claire describes her style as collaborative and trauma aware.

She listens for patterns from the past that affect life now, and gently invites people to reflect on choices and reactions. Sessions are guided by what the person needs rather than a fixed agenda. Over the years she has developed an integrative approach, keeping psychodynamic ideas at the core while drawing on other useful methods.

This flexibility allows her to tailor the work to problems such as low self-esteem, addictions, sleep and eating difficulties, or compassion fatigue. She has experience setting up services and training others in telephone and online counselling. That background informs how she runs remote sessions and supports people who prefer video, phone, live chat or messaging.

Claire aims to help people feel more in control as they make changes. Clients who choose her can expect straightforward conversation, practical pacing, and respect for their goals. She aims to help people build better routines, manage anxiety, and work through attachment or family strains at a doable speed.

Psychodynamic thinking and online therapy options

Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on how early relationships and unconscious patterns influence feelings and behaviour now. It often helps when anxiety, attachment problems or repeated relationship patterns keep arising, by giving space to notice those patterns and what they mean.

Claire also works in an integrative way, which means she keeps psychodynamic ideas at the heart of the work while using other techniques when they suit the person's needs. That lets her tailor the pace and focus - for example to address grief, addiction, sleep problems or feelings of emptiness - in a way that fits each person.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Claire will discuss options with each person and decide together what feels most helpful for their goals and preferences. The aim is a shared plan that can be adjusted as the work progresses.

Online therapy offers practical benefits such as fitting sessions around work or family, shorter check-in options by message, and the choice to use audio if bandwidth is low or video feels tiring. Phone sessions can be simpler for quick appointments, while live chat and text-based messaging allow ongoing support between calls. These formats make regular contact easier for people balancing busy lives.
Book with Claire Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does Claire help with?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression and bipolar issues, as well as relationship, trauma and grief-related problems. Other areas include self-esteem, addictions, sleep and eating difficulties and family and intimacy-related concerns.
What is Claire's therapeutic style like?
Her work is collaborative and trauma aware, with an emphasis on listening and pacing. She explores how past patterns affect present choices and offers practical steps to manage day-to-day problems.
How much experience does she have?
Claire has 20 years of counselling and professional experience, and she has worked in helplines, hospice bereavement services and specialist sexual violence services since 2005.
What credentials and location are on record?
She is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, shown as BACP, and she practices in the United Kingdom.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Claire provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
20 years
Licensed
Languages
English

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