Directory entry

Claire Purkess, BACP

Credentials: BACP
Experience: 3 years
Practising in: United Kingdom
Languages: English
Sessions: Online only
Client ages: Adults, 18 and over

Works with Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Coping with life changes

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Claire Purkess is a counsellor who began her path through volunteering at Childline and later at Nexus. She has direct experience supporting people affected by sexual trauma and domestic abuse. Claire holds BACP accreditation which indicates recognised professional membership.

She works in the United Kingdom and offers sessions in English. Claire describes her way of working as integrative, which means she draws on different counselling ideas to meet each person’s needs.

Background and approach

Sessions are calm and encouraging, with a warm manner that aims to make it easier to talk about painful experiences. She focuses on practical ways to manage stress and anxiety, work through grief, and rebuild self-esteem. People come to Claire when life changes feel hard to cope with or when past trauma keeps affecting day-to-day life.

She creates a steady space to talk things through and to try small steps that can make a difference. Conversations look at what matters to the individual and what feels manageable right now. Her background working with sexual trauma and domestic abuse gives her experience in supporting those specific issues, while her integrative approach keeps sessions flexible.

Claire uses listening, reflection and practical tools to help people move forward at their own pace. Sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat and text messaging so people can choose what fits their routine. To begin, a short matching questionnaire helps pair someone with Claire and schedule the first appointment.

How therapeutic approaches work online

Claire uses integrative techniques that combine different evidence-based ideas to match what each person needs. This means she may blend talking and practical exercises to help with anxiety and stress, focusing on manageable steps to change how people cope.

Her work with trauma and abuse draws on trauma-informed practices that prioritise safety, pacing and stabilisation. Sessions often begin with grounding and coping skills before addressing painful memories, which helps people feel steadier as they progress.

Finding the right approach is a joint process. Claire will talk with the person about goals, preferences and what feels helpful, then together they will choose methods and pace that suit that individual. That shared decision-making helps keep therapy focused and relevant.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow verbal and visual connection similar to face-to-face work, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth or camera use is an issue, and live chat or text messaging suit short check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit counselling into busy lives and to continue work between sessions when needed.

What kinds of problems does Claire help with?

She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her counselling style?

Claire uses a calm, encouraging and warm approach. She adapts methods to each person rather than following a single model.

What experience does she have?

She has three years of counselling experience and has volunteered at Childline and at Nexus working with people affected by sexual trauma and domestic abuse.

What are her professional credentials and location?

Claire is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, shown as BACP, and works in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Can people outside the UK work with her?

She is not accepting international clients; sessions are provided for people within the United Kingdom.

What session formats are available?

Claire offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different preferences and schedules.

How do I start therapy with her?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

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Also listed

Experience: 3 years
Registered with: BACP
Languages: English

Contacting Claire

Claire takes enquiries through BetterHelp. You answer a few questions about what you are looking for, then arrange sessions if it seems like a fit. Browsing costs nothing and you are not committing to anything by reading this page.

Claire Purkess, BACP

Background and approach

How therapeutic approaches work online

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Others working with stress, anxiety