Claire Sims, BACP

Claire Sims is a BACP-registered counsellor with 20 years of hands-on experience in the United Kingdom. She began training in 2000 and has supported people through anxiety, grief, relationship strain and other life stresses. Her approach is collaborative and paced to each person. Claire trained initially in psychodynamic counselling and has broadened her practice over the years. She now describes her work as integrative, drawing on different skills to match what a client needs. Sessions focus on what matters to the client and on helping them feel more in control. Her background includes roles across helplines, hospice bereavement services and community mental health projects. Claire has worked with people affected by sexual violence, domestic abuse, and long-term mood difficulties. She has also provided support around parenting, addiction, sleep and eating concerns. Claire has led service development projects such as outreach and telephone services, and helped set up video counselling. She has experience training other counsellors to work by phone and online, and has coordinated emotional support and helpline services in several organisations. People come to Claire for help with big life changes, coping with loss, relationship problems, stress and feelings of emptiness or isolation. She aims to create a respectful, sensitive space and to work at a pace that suits each person. Taking a first step can feel hard, and Claire’s practice emphasises collaboration and steady support.

How psychodynamic work translates to online counselling

Psychodynamic therapy looks at patterns in feelings and relationships and how past experiences influence present problems. It can help people make sense of repeating struggles, low mood, anxiety and relationship difficulties. Claire also uses an integrative stance, combining psychodynamic ideas with practical ways to manage symptoms and cope day to day. That can include looking at routines, feelings and behaviours to find small changes that make life easier. Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Claire will work with each person to decide what fits best based on their needs, goals and preferences. This is a collaborative conversation and adjustments are made as therapy progresses. Many people find online work easier to fit into daily life because it can save travel time and allow sessions during a lunch break or between other commitments. If you want to know which session formats are offered now, check before booking so you can plan around work, childcare and other routines. Online sessions can be useful for talking through midlife changes, coping with grief, relationship concerns and long-standing patterns that cause distress.