The Counselling and Family Support Team is made up of Counsellors and Therapeutic support Workers offering emotional support and counselling to children, young people, parents and Grandparents.
Our Therapeutic Support Workers offer clients a professional Listening Ear Service. This level of emotional support is ideal for those who are experiencing low-level symptoms of anxiety and mood concerns. Our Therapeutic Support Workers have a wealth of experience to support you in exploring ways to improve your wellbeing and have all completed basic counselling skills courses that enable them to listen and respond to their clients with understanding and empathy.
Our Counsellors have all undertaken extensive training to ensure that they can offer a safe and effective counselling service. Our counsellors are person-centred in their approach and all of them have undertaken additional training such as Hypnotherapy, The Rewind Therapy, The Flash Technique, Walk, and Talk therapy and Creative counselling which can be integrated into counselling sessions where appropriate. They each hold individual professional membership with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).The Ethical Framework can be found here.
Catherine“Hello, my name is Catherine and I am the Team Leader of the Counselling and Family Support Team. My role at Claire House is to ensure that a safe and responsive family support service is provided to families at the most difficult of times in their lives. Outside of my role at Claire House, I like to engage in all things creative, baking, crafts and singing.”
Rachael “Hello, I’m Rachael. I have worked at Claire House as a Counsellor in the Family Support Team for over 9 years. Alongside counselling, I am also a qualified hypnotherapist and believe this compliments my style of working. I love meeting the parents and young people and am passionate about the work that I do. When I’m not at Claire House, I love walking my dog Maggie, cooking / baking, doing some yoga and I am also a member of my local ladies cricket team! I once won ‘Claire House Bake Off’ which I am very proud of and like to remind the team on a regular basis! My favourite time of year is spring / summer as I love to be outdoors and feel the sun on my face.”
Frankie“Hi, I’m Frankie. I joined Claire House in 2017. Before this, I worked as a counsellor at an adult hospice working with both adults and children, and brought all my skills learnt from that job with me. I love working here at Claire House – meeting young people and adults who sometimes feel overwhelmed or have feelings that can be difficult to talk about. Sometimes we chat, and other times we play board games, get creative with colour/glue etc, or use the sand tray to create stories. When I am not at Claire House, I might be trying to keep fit, and on a Sunday morning, you will find me practicing karate at my local club. I love walking our dog who’s getting a bit old now – but that doesn’t stop her chasing squirrels or sticks, and she always comes back VERY muddy!”
Sarah “Hi, my name is Sarah and I am one of the Counsellors on the Family Support Team. I love my job as I have the privilege to meet so many inspirational people regularly. I am passionate about using my training, as well as my lived experiences, to help, support and connect with our families here at Claire House. In my spare time I hold some Laughter Yoga sessions, Hypnotherapy sessions, I love to sing, dance, exercise and crack practical jokes on my team members when they least expect it. Sshhh don’t tell them it was me!”
Collette “Hi, I am Collette and I really enjoy my role as a Counsellor within the Family Support Team. Before I joined Claire House, I worked as a Counsellor in a primary school and in a carer’s charity. Outside of Claire House, I also help on the family farm and can even drive a tractor. I like to try and keep fit by walking the dog and playing tennis (but not with the dog) and, to relax, I enjoy watching TV, reading and playing card games.”
Jenna “Hi, I’m Jenna. I feel very lucky to be in the family support team at Claire House doing a job I love. Claire House is a very special place and I enjoy being able to provide a safe space to our families to talk about the things that may be bothering them, to help them to find ways that support them. When I’m not in work I enjoy spending time listening to music and going to the beach. I have two cats, one of my cats thinks that he is a dog and he likes to play fetch!”
Elizabeth “Hello, my name’s Elizabeth and I’m so grateful to be working as a Counsellor here at Claire House. I love being able to meet such wonderful people and help them through sad and difficult times. When I am not in Claire House, I am with my little fluffball cat at home or driving around in my 27 year old, yellow Volkswagen campervan!”
Alex “Hi, I’m Alex, I have worked at Claire House for 11 years. I began my journey working on the care team as a health care support worker, then I moved to the community team and I now find myself split between the family support and transitions teams. I am a therapeutic support worker and I organise our sibling events. I feel privileged to have met and continue to meet such wonderful children & adults here at the hospice. Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf, listening to music or podcasts and spending time with my family.”
