Clair Atkinson, BACP

Clair Atkinson works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression and a wide range of related concerns. She aims to help with everyday struggles such as sleep and eating problems, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, career stress and coping with big life changes. Clair also offers support for people dealing with ADHD, compassion fatigue, chronic illness, caregiver stress and body image worries.

Clair trained to Masters level in counselling and psychotherapy and holds registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. Before moving into therapy she spent 33 years working as a registered nurse, and she brings that experience into how she listens and responds. She has five years' experience in counselling roles across different settings.

Her approach is rooted in Client-Centred Therapy, which means she aims to follow each person’s pace and priorities. Sessions focus on being listened to and understood while exploring what matters to the client. This style is practical and down-to-earth rather than directive.

In sessions she listens without judgement and offers empathic reflection rather than direct advice. The goal is to help people notice their strengths, make choices that fit them, and build small, manageable changes. She supports people through processing difficult emotions and finding ways to move forward.

Taking the first step can feel daunting. Clair encourages straightforward conversation about what someone hopes to change, then works collaboratively to shape therapy around those aims.

How Client-Centred Therapy works online

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, non-judgemental space where the client leads the conversation. The therapist listens carefully, reflects what they hear and helps the person clarify their priorities. This approach can be helpful for issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, grief and navigating life changes.

Clair's background in nursing and her counselling training mean she pays close attention to how clients describe their everyday experience. In practice she aims to work collaboratively, helping people identify what they want from therapy and adjusting the way sessions run to match those goals and preferences.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Clair will discuss options and try different ways of working until something feels helpful. She involves the client in deciding pace, focus and how each session is structured so therapy fits practical needs.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Many people find online sessions useful because they can fit a meeting into a workday, avoid travel, or choose a quieter time that suits them. Others prefer not to be on camera or to keep sessions shorter for a quick check-in; these practical choices can make therapy easier to maintain alongside daily life.