Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talking therapy that focuses on supporting clients to find solutions to difficulties in their lives, through understanding how their thoughts and behaviours affect the way they feel. By challenging difficult thoughts and experimenting with changes to behaviour, clients can find ways to achieve and maintain their own recovery. The website of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies provides helpful information on CBT.

​Counselling is a talking therapy that focuses on providing a space in which clients can explore issues affecting them, without feeling judged or being told what to do. Counselling can help clients understand difficult emotions, and come to terms with past events. More information about counselling can be found on the NHS UK website.

This is up to you and can be discussed with your therapist, but most clients have between 8 and 12 sessions.

​There is no obligation to continue if you do not think this type of therapy is right for you. Claire would be happy to discuss other options with you.

​There are many self-help materials available both in print and online. The Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust offers a good range of free self-help booklets. You may also find helpful the list of books recommended by the Reading Well Books on Prescription programme.

​Couples counselling is not something Claire currently offers. Your local Relate branch may be able to offer advice.

Appointments can be paid for by cash, cheque, bank transfer or Stripe. Transfers are to be made in advance of each session. Claire is also a recognised Psychotherapist for AXA PPP and Bupa.

Please provide a minimum of 24 hours notice if you need to cancel an appointment. Appointments unattended with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged in full.

This will depend on what approach and aims you have agreed with your therapist. For general information about what to expect from therapy appointments, please see information provided by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy.

You may find it helpful to bring a notebook and pen, and a recording device if you would like to record your appointments.​

Remote therapy has a very strong evidence-base for its efficacy, and means the services provided can be made available to more clients at a lower cost.

Claire offers appointment to over 18s only. In some circumstances, 17 year old clients who are close to their 18th birthday may offered an assessment appointment. Please get in touch to discuss further.