Clare Atkinson, BACP

Clare Atkinson is a counsellor with 13 years of professional experience supporting people facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and life changes. She aims to make the first step easier by offering a calm, non-judgemental space where clients can talk about what feels difficult. Clare uses plain language in sessions and encourages small, practical steps that build confidence over time.

Her practice focuses on helping people manage everyday pressures and regain a sense of control. She also works with people affected by ADHD and assists those coping with chronic illness, cancer, caregiving stress and ageing concerns. Clare listens for what matters most to each person and helps them clarify short-term goals.

Clare draws on a mix of Client-Centred and Cognitive Behavioural strategies to keep conversations grounded and practical. Mindfulness and Solution-Focused techniques are used when they fit a client's priorities, for example to reduce anxious thinking or to set manageable goals. She explains options clearly and involves clients in choosing what to try.

Sessions aim to be straightforward and focused on real life. Clare helps people spot patterns in thinking and behaviour, try new coping ideas, and check what does or does not work. She encourages steady progress rather than quick fixes and adjusts pace to each person's needs.

Clare is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP. She works in the United Kingdom and offers sessions in English. To begin, readers are invited to follow the site process to match with her and schedule a session.

Approaches and working online

Clare commonly combines Client-Centred and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches to help clients who are feeling stressed, anxious or low in confidence. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on attentive listening and reflecting back what matters to the client, helping people feel heard and understood. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thought and behaviour and helps people test small changes that can reduce anxiety and low mood.

She also draws on Mindfulness and Solution-Focused ideas when they suit a person's goals, for example using simple mindfulness practices to reduce rumination or setting clear, short-term goals to rebuild motivation. Clare treats finding the right approach as a team effort and will work with each person to decide which methods feel most useful for their situation.

If you are considering online therapy, check the session formats available before booking since the biography does not specify which formats are used. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, avoid travel time and have shorter check-ins when needed. A clearer understanding of practical goals, routines and small experiments is often possible in online sessions, and Clare will help tailor the process to your needs and preferences.