Claire Smith, BACP

Claire Smith is a counsellor who helps people facing midlife questions and a wide range of related stresses. She supports people dealing with anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship strains, family conflict and trauma. Claire works in a direct and respectful way and aims to make the first steps easier for anyone starting therapy.

She has four years of professional experience in the United Kingdom and holds BACP registration. Her background includes work within an NHS children’s crisis unit where she supported people with severe mental health concerns and those at high risk. This experience informs how she approaches safety and risk when those issues arise.

Claire uses a mix of practical talking approaches. She draws on cognitive behavioural ideas to look at thought patterns and on acceptance-based approaches to help people live by their values. Attachment-based and client-centred ways of working shape how she builds trust and listens to what matters most to each person.

She also has experience supporting people who are neurodiverse, including those with ADHD and autism, and those coping with obsessive thoughts. Claire tailors sessions to each person and adjusts pace and techniques to suit individual needs.

Sessions focus on clear goals and small, manageable steps. Claire aims to help people develop coping strategies, improve communication, and find ways to handle life changes that often come in midlife.

Approaches that suit online therapy and life changes

Claire commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice unhelpful struggles with thoughts and feelings while focusing on what matters most to them, which can be useful for midlife questions and coping with change. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions and supports learning new ways of responding to anxiety, low mood and difficult behaviours.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Claire will work together with each person to identify which methods feel most useful based on their goals and preferences. That collaborative decision helps shape how the online work proceeds and which exercises or techniques are used between sessions.

The original profile does not list specific session formats, so please confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments around work and family life, reduce travel time and allow quicker check-ins on difficult days. It can also make some practical exercises easier to do between meetings. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists generally adapt tools and homework to work well in an online setting, and Claire will tailor sessions to fit everyday routines and goals.