Claire Sims , BACP

Claire Sims is a fully qualified counsellor based in the United Kingdom who holds BACP accreditation - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and brings twenty years of professional experience to her practice. She supports people with a broad range of difficulties including stress and anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, sexual and domestic violence, grief and loss, and a variety of long-term and situational challenges. Claire describes her work as client-led and trauma informed, offering sensitive, respectful, and compassionate support while working at a pace that suits each individual.

Claire began her counselling training in 2000 after moving from a background as a hairdresser and caring for her family; that initial decision led to a long career shift and personal development that informs her empathetic approach. She started seeing clients in 2005 and has since worked across many settings such as rape crisis services, hospice bereavement provision, helplines, IAPT services, and community mental health and support organisations. Her roles have included direct counselling, service coordination, launching outreach and telephone services, training other counsellors for online and telephone work, and facilitating groups such as Food & Mood and Anger Management.

Trained originally in psychodynamic counselling, Claire now describes her practice as integrative, drawing on a wide range of experience and skills to tailor support to each person. Her background includes work with people affected by personality disorder traits, dementia and their families, new mothers with postnatal depression, and those navigating loss, separation, and complex relationship dynamics. Claire aims to collaborate with clients so they feel in control of their progress and supported in making positive changes.

Psychodynamic and Integrative Approaches for Online Therapy

Claire Sims uses psychodynamic therapy to explore how past experiences, relationships, and unconscious patterns influence current emotions and behaviour; this approach helps people gain deeper insight into recurring difficulties and the roots of distress. As an integrative practitioner, she combines psychodynamic principles with other techniques drawn from her broad clinical experience to tailor support to the individual’s needs, whether the focus is on coping with loss, relationship strains, or trauma-related issues.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the therapy process, and Claire works collaboratively with clients to identify what fits best with their goals, preferences, and circumstances. Licensed professionals and therapists often adapt methods over time, and Claire aims to involve clients in those decisions so the work feels relevant and manageable.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility: sessions can take place by video call or phone, and shorter or more flexible contacts are possible through live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier for people to access consistent support around work, family, or mobility constraints while maintaining a regular therapeutic relationship that supports progress.