Claire West

Are you frustrated by a world that confuses you? Do you feel you are not accepted for who you are? Are you finding work stressful? Or is overwhelm and anxiety taking over your life?

Counselling can help you feel more at home in the world as you become happy to be who you are and have the tools to manage your emotions. You can step into your future as a human with potential. Having the space to talk about things you wouldn’t talk about to with anyone else can help you see your options, give you agency and feel alive.

I have over twenty years of experience as a teacher, including training the next generation of counsellors. I strongly believe that everyone has the potential for change – even if they don’t see it themselves. I also understand the demands of the teaching profession and am keen to support teachers and support staff to manage stress. This work has included developing self-care workshops for educational establishments.

My personal life includes experience of those who are neurodivergent and queer which has shown me the impact that being accepted and valued for who you are can have on those who feel the world is an alien or threatening place.

I have a keen interest in creative therapy, having seen how it can connect to everyone – especially those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.

Finally, my own experience of therapy means I understand just how transformative therapy can be.

You are the expert on yourself and my role is to help you make sense of your thoughts by listening or working creatively. I provide a safe and non-judgemental space where you are accepted for who you are and wherever you are on your journey.

After your enquiry I will email you to arrange an initial assessment session in my therapy room in St Ives to see if we will work well together and for you to ask any questions. It’s important that you feel comfortable talking to me and this gives you a feel for how I work. 

After this, if you are ready, we make an appointment for you to attend further sessions.

In our first session there is space for you to tell me about your needs and concerns and for you to ask any questions you may have. I’ll ask a few questions about what you are hoping to achieve from counselling and about you and your goals.

In the first couple of sessions we will be getting to know each other, giving you the time to feel safe and comfortable with me.

Usually, we would meet weekly until our relationship is established but you are free to decide the frequency of our sessions. We would also have a discussion about how many sessions you feel you would like - this would be reviewed regularly as we work together. 

Our work is guided by you. You are the expert on yourself and my role is to help you find what you need within you.