Claire Mansel Lewis

I have availability, with day time appointments on 2 days a week and a few evening appointments on offer.

I am an experienced Individual Relationship Counsellor and Couple Therapist having been trained by Relate and having worked with them for the past 18 years. I also delivered workshops for parents in dispute over child custody and spent the latter years supporting the partners (or former partners) of men doing Relate's perpetrator programme. In my private practice, I will continue to draw on my training and experience with the largest provider of relationship counselling in England and Wales. 

As a Registered member, I am committed to the Ethical Framework of the BACP which includes matters such as Insurance, Supervision, Continuing Professional Development and Record Keeping.

My qualifications are: 

Diploma in Counselling at Coleg Sir Gar  1999/01

Graduate Certificate: Foundation in Couple Counselling in 2005.  

I am always humbled by the courage it takes for couples and individuals to seek therapy and so I aim to make sessions as relaxed and informal as possible. Obviously, there is information that I need to gather (see below), but I really want to hear from you about what has brought you to relationship counselling and what you are hoping to achieve having taken this brave step.

My priority is to create a safe space where both clients can be heard. Counselling provides the opportunity to develop an understanding of our expectations, and what may be the patterns of thinking and behaviour which tend to influence how we manage relationships.  Couples may have drifted apart due to the pressures of life, may be at a point of crisis which they cannot get beyond, or may want to 'separate well'. I see my role as accompanying clients as they seek necessary change for themselves and their relationship.

My preference is that, at the very least, the assessment process is done face to face at the Wellness Therapy Centre in Llandeilo.  Thereafter, I am able to offer a blended approach between face-to-face and Zoom.

The initial assessment process is very important when working with couples due to the need to ensure that couple therapy is appropriate for the clients. After an initial session with both present, which is largely devoted to gathering information about you and what you both hope to gain from therapy, the following session will be split. These confidential 'half-sessions' are very important to ensure safe practice.

Following this, a contract about the focus of our work may be negotiated with the couple together and it is normal to review this after 6 sessions. Occasionally, it is beneficial to do further individual work, but this is always negotiated with the couple.

With individual clients seeking relationship counselling it is also a good idea to agree a contract about what the focus of the work will be.