Claire Smith , BACP

Claire Smith is a UK-licensed therapist with four years of clinical experience supporting people through anxiety, low mood, bereavement, relationship difficulties, family conflict, and complex trauma and abuse. She has worked within the NHS NELFT children’s crisis unit responding to severe mental health concerns and high-risk presentations, and she brings that background to work with adults and younger people facing intense emotional challenges.

Claire works with neurodiverse clients and has specific experience with OCD, ADHD, and autism, and she addresses a wide range of concerns including stress, depression, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating and body image, parenting and caregiver stress, and communication or relationship problems. She uses a mix of therapeutic approaches that include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to tailor support to each person’s circumstances.

Claire holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - a recognised UK professional body for counselling and psychotherapy. She strives to treat everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she works collaboratively to design conversations and treatment plans that reflect each individual’s needs and goals. Claire recognises the courage it takes to start therapy and offers a supportive first step toward change.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Claire Smith uses a range of therapeutic approaches suited to different needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people clarify their values and take meaningful action while learning practical ways to live with difficult thoughts and feelings - it can help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns of connection and relationship history to improve current bonds and address issues such as intimacy, abandonment concerns, and family conflict. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that identifies unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaches skills to manage symptoms related to anxiety, depression, and coping difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Claire works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods best match their goals, preferences, and life situation. She tailors interventions and pacing so therapy feels relevant and achievable.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions around work, family, or mobility needs, maintain continuity of care when schedules change, and access support from a familiar environment while working with licensed professionals and therapists who adapt their methods to remote formats.