Claire Smith , BACP

Claire Smith is a UK-based practitioner with four years of professional experience supporting people through a wide range of mental health and life challenges. She is registered with the BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which represents counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom. Claire has worked across settings that include the NHS NELFT children’s crisis unit, where she supported young people facing severe mental health difficulties and high-risk situations.

Her clinical work covers anxiety and low mood, bereavement, relationship and family conflict, and complex trauma and abuse. She also has experience supporting neurodiverse clients and has worked with conditions such as OCD, ADHD, and autism. Claire combines practical coping strategies with careful attention to each person’s history and needs to create a tailored plan for therapy.

Claire aims to work with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, shaping conversations and interventions around each client’s unique circumstances. She values collaboration and helps people explore choices that align with their values and goals. Claire recognises that beginning therapy takes courage and acknowledges the importance of that first step for anyone seeking support.

Practical Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being driven by them and encourages action that reflects personal values - it is often used for anxiety, low mood, and challenges with motivation. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns formed in early relationships, exploring how those patterns affect current relationships and emotional responses, and can be helpful for people struggling with intimacy, attachment issues, or relationship conflict. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, works by identifying unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and building practical skills to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the therapeutic process. Claire works collaboratively with clients and with other licensed professionals when needed to identify goals, try methods, and adapt the plan so the approach aligns with each person’s needs and preferences.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how people access support - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or ongoing text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, or other commitments, and allow clients to choose the communication style that feels most comfortable while working with a licensed therapist.