Claire Purkess, BACP

Claire Purkess is a counsellor with three years' experience supporting people through difficult times. She began her counselling journey volunteering at Childline and later at Nexus, working alongside people who had experienced sexual trauma and domestic abuse. Claire brings a calm and encouraging manner to sessions and offers a warm, steady presence.

She practices an integrative style, which means she draws on different theories and adapts them to each person's needs. In a session Claire listens closely, helps map out what feels hard, and works with the person to choose practical steps forward. She focuses on immediate concerns like stress and anxiety as well as longer-term issues such as grief and self-esteem.

Claire is experienced in responding to the after-effects of trauma and abuse while also supporting people through life changes and coping challenges. She aims to create a clear structure so conversations feel manageable. Sessions often include talking, reflecting, and trying small, practical techniques that can be used between meetings.

People who prefer a gentle, supportive approach tend to find her style helpful. Claire takes time to build trust and to tailor the pace of work to each person. Her goal is to help people feel steadier and more able to face daily demands.

She offers appointments online by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. Claire works in English and practises across the United Kingdom.

How Claire's approaches work online and in sessions

Claire uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques in an integrative way, adapting methods to suit individual needs. One common approach focuses on grounding and stabilisation after trauma - this helps people manage strong emotions and feel more able to cope day to day. Another approach she uses helps people understand and shift unhelpful patterns that keep anxiety or low self-esteem active, by identifying thoughts and small behavioural steps to try between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Claire will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, and together they decide which techniques to try. This is a collaborative process and the plan can change as people learn what helps them most.

Online therapy with Claire is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs. Video allows face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging suit shorter exchanges and people who prefer writing. These options give flexibility to fit therapy around daily life and make it easier to attend from a range of locations.