Clare Brentnall, BACP

Clare Brentnall helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, relationship strain or low mood. She says taking the first step is an act of courage and aims to offer steady support while people work through difficult times.

Clare is a psychodynamic counsellor with four years of professional experience and holds BACP registration. She talks with clients about how past experiences can shape present behaviour and feelings. Sessions give space to notice patterns and to make different choices in day-to-day life.

Her approach is collaborative. Clare treats the person in front of her as the expert in their own life and draws on their strengths when exploring change. Conversations are practical as well as reflective, focusing on what matters now and what might be getting in the way.

She has worked with people dealing with grief, anger, intimacy-related concerns and low self-esteem, as well as those coping with major life changes. Clare also supports people facing family difficulties and those wanting clearer ways to manage relationships and emotions.

The first sessions typically focus on what brought someone to therapy and on setting clear, manageable goals. From there Clare and the client look at patterns that keep problems repeating and try small, realistic steps to alter them. This makes the work feel useful and relevant to everyday life.

How psychodynamic counselling translates to online work

Psychodynamic counselling looks at how early experiences and patterns shape present feelings and behaviour. In simple terms this approach helps people name recurring themes in relationships and emotions so they can make different choices. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, grief and relationship concerns where recurring patterns are part of the problem.

Clare frames therapy as collaborative. She will work with each person to find whether psychodynamic work fits their needs and to agree goals and ways of working together. That discussion is part of the therapeutic process and can lead to adjusting the approach as things change.

Please confirm available session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific options. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow more flexible scheduling and reduce travel time. It can also let people choose sessions that suit quieter surroundings, avoid being on camera for part of a session, or fit a short check-in during a break from work. Registered or accredited professionals can discuss practical arrangements when you start so sessions suit your goals and day-to-day routine.