Claire Bottomley , BACP

Claire Bottomley is a therapist who supports people navigating stress, anxiety, difficult life events and relationship challenges. She works with both adults and young people to address issues such as panic, low mood, grief, trauma, abuse, parenting concerns, addictions and difficulties with intimacy or self-esteem. Claire takes an integrative, person-centred approach that prioritises the therapeutic relationship and adapts methods to suit each individual’s needs and goals.

She uses evidence-informed techniques to help clients understand how past experiences influence present patterns and to explore practical ways of coping and moving forward. Sessions are tailored collaboratively so that the focus reflects what each person hopes to achieve, whether that is reducing anxiety, processing loss, improving relationships, managing ADHD-related challenges or rebuilding a sense of control after trauma. Claire is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which reflects her commitment to professional standards.

Clients can expect a warm, non-judgemental space where the therapist and client work together to identify helpful steps, try different strategies and track progress over time. Claire draws on a range of therapeutic tools to create a personalised pathway toward clearer thinking, better coping and more satisfying relationships.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Claire commonly draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - a model that helps people clarify their values, accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and commit to actions that support a meaningful life - and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms such as anxiety and low mood. She also works from a client-centred perspective, offering an empathic, non-directive stance that helps people feel heard and discover their own solutions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Claire collaborates with each person to assess needs, preferences and goals, and then blends methods that best suit the individual rather than relying on a single technique. This collaborative stance means the plan can be adjusted as therapy progresses.

Online work offers flexibility and accessibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone conversations, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different lifestyles and needs. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, to maintain continuity when life changes, and to access support from a distance while working with licensed professionals and therapists who can tailor care to each person.