Claire Kerby

I currently have availability daytime and some evenings (until 9pm). Occasionally I open up availability at weekends too, but not often!

Wye Talk Counselling (Claire Kerby) provides online counselling and support for a wide range of people. With a background of supporting people affected by anxiety, low self-esteem and bereavement in particular, (work which still forms my core practice), I now also incorporate those who may be affected by long term health conditions having been diagnosed myself with Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) six years ago.

Chronic health conditions create a range of challenges for those suffering from them, and those around them. Whilst illnesses play out differently from person to person, there are common experiences such as fear and anxiety, frustration and disappointment, anger, hurt and more.

Being diagnosed with a chronic health condition can be a shock and it may impact every aspect of your life. What’s especially hard is accepting the ‘new you’, coming to terms with it, and learning to manage it and its unpredictability in ways that still allow for pleasure and joy for you and those close to you. Often it's those close to you who also need support in that their life too may have been turned upside down.

Using my personal 'lived experience', I am able to provide individual counselling and support for people exposed to chronic health conditions which incorporates

- emotional management: helping manage fear, anxiety, frustration and other emotions related to your illness

- the development of tools for you to use in this management. These are drawn from CBT, ACT and Mindfulness Meditation, the last of which I personally find particularly valuable. (All have significant scientific-based evidence underpinning them).

Who do I support?

- Adults experiencing a time of anxiety in their lives, possible affecting their self-esteem, knocking their confidence, maybe undergoing some form of loss too, be it via bereavement or loss of some other aspect of their lives (a job, relationship, home, sense of security).

Also ... Individuals aged 16+ who live with a chronic health condition, for example MS, cancer, arthritis, COPD, autoimmune diseases and diabetes

- Family members, carers and friends of those diagnosed, who are seeking support and understanding

How it works

Where and when: My counselling sessions can be held face to face (mostly in Hereford), but are more commonly virtual. My insurance covers me to work globally (including US). Talking over the phone is fine too: whatever you’re most comfortable with.

I always suggest that we have an initial phone conversation lasting 10 - 20 minutes so that we can introduce ourselves to each other and you can give me some idea as to what has brought you to this point. You can find out more about me too. I don't charge for this call. We'll then discuss the best way to move forward:  talking on the phone or talking virtually on Whereby/Facetime/WhatsApp/whatever or even meeting face to face if you are in within reach of Hereford, UK. 

I'm very flexible re my working hours - day or evenings and very occasionally weekends.

Over the course of anything from just one or two sessions to more, working together we will seek ways of reaching a point where you have the confidence and strength, to continue on your own

Take that final step and text or call me, I really look forward to hearing from you.

Call me, text or email to find out more. My aim is to be as flexible as necessary (within reason). 

I'm quite 'anti' form-filling for counselling purposes, so please look elsewhere if that is something you would find reassuring!