Directory entry

Claire Sims, BACP

Credentials: BACP
Experience: 20 years
Practising in: United Kingdom
Languages: English
Sessions: Online only
Client ages: Adults, 18 and over

Works with Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Grief Self esteem

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Claire Sims is a counsellor with 20 years of experience working in the United Kingdom. She trained in psychodynamic counselling and holds BACP registration, and she aims to work alongside people at their pace. Claire focuses on helping people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and trauma-related difficulties.

Claire uses a client-led approach. She listens first, then helps people make sense of their reactions. Sessions are collaborative and paced to what feels manageable for the person.

Background and approach

She emphasises respect, sensitivity and compassion in every conversation. Her background includes work across charities, helplines and hospice services. That experience means she has supported people through bereavement, sexual violence, domestic abuse, and end-of-life concerns.

She has also run group programmes for anger and food-related mood work and developed telephone and video counselling services. Claire says her early career shift into counselling shaped how she understands life change and loss. She draws on psychodynamic ideas to explore how past experiences influence present feelings.

Over time she has developed an integrative way of working, using a range of skills to meet individual needs. Practical matters are straightforward: sessions can be by video, phone, live chat or text messaging. Claire works collaboratively to agree goals and the pace of work, focusing on what a person wants to change and how best to get there.

Psychodynamic work online and practical session options

Psychodynamic Therapy looks at how past experiences shape current feelings and behaviour. Online sessions allow time to reflect on patterns from childhood and adult life, which can be useful for relationship issues, abandonment concerns and long-standing emotional themes.

Claire describes herself as drawing on psychodynamic ideas within an integrative way of working. That means she will use this approach when it helps, and combine other helpful methods from her experience to suit each person. Together they will discuss which way of working feels most helpful for the goals and issues presented.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will ask about your needs, aims and preferences and suggest a plan that feels manageable. This is a collaborative process and the plan can change as you learn more about what helps.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility. Video calls work well for day-to-day therapy and visual cues. Phone sessions can suit shorter check-ins or when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging can be useful for brief exchanges, journalling between sessions or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Registered or accredited professionals use these formats to increase access and make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives.

What concerns can Claire help with?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar and trauma-related issues, plus relationship, grief and intimacy-related problems.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her work is client-led and collaborative, with a calm, compassionate and paced approach that helps people feel in control of the work.

What is her professional background?

Claire has 20 years of counselling and professional experience across charities, hospice services, helplines and IAPT settings.

What credential does she hold and where does she practise?

She is registered with the BACP and practises in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are offered?

Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging.

How are sessions paid for?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Most often

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse

Also listed

Therapeutic approaches

Psychodynamic Therapy

Experience: 20 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 Sims, BACP

Background and approach

Psychodynamic work online and practical session options

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Others working with stress, anxiety