Claire Sims, BACP

Claire Sims is a counsellor working in the United Kingdom with 20 years of professional experience. She offers a calm, respectful presence and aims to work alongside clients at a pace that suits them. Claire describes her practice as client-led and collaborative, with a focus on helping people feel more in control of their lives.

Claire trained in psychodynamic counselling and began seeing clients in 2005. Over time she broadened her methods and now practises in an integrative way, drawing on her experience to suit each person. Her work has involved helplines, support roles and management in multiple services.

Her background includes work at sexual-violence services, hospice bereavement support and IAPT settings. She has developed outreach and telephone services, introduced video counselling, and trained others to work online and by phone. Claire has also facilitated groups on topics such as food and mood and anger management.

She has experience supporting people affected by trauma, domestic and sexual violence, grief and loss, anxiety and stress, depression and bipolar, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, and parenting challenges. Additional focus areas include attachment and abandonment concerns, blended family difficulties, communication and commitment issues, and feelings of emptiness or isolation.

Claire aims to be sensitive and compassionate in sessions. She says the first step can take courage and she will work with each person to find an approach that fits their needs and goals.

Psychodynamic and integrative approaches online

Claire uses psychodynamic ideas to help people notice patterns from their past that affect how they feel and behave now. This approach often helps with long-standing relationship difficulties, attachment worries and feelings of emptiness by making hidden patterns clearer.

She also works in an integrative way, combining skills from different approaches to suit each person. That means sessions can include reflective conversation, support for managing strong emotions, and practical steps for coping day to day, chosen together with the client.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Claire will collaborate with each person to decide what feels most useful, and she will adjust the style and focus as the relationship develops.

Confirm the current online session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time and help maintain continuity when schedules change. It can also allow shorter check-ins or sessions that do not require video, depending on what the therapist offers.