About Claire

My child self may not be too surprised that I am where I am.  Nature was my favourite playground and I was happiest making secret worlds for the fairies in the garden or playing with the animals - from our pet cats, to snails and frogs. I was highly sensitive and pained by the suffering of others which grew to a heartache at international disparity and took me into the charity sector and more specifically international development seeking greater justice and harmony. 

It's always mattered to me that what I do makes a positive difference in the world.  A bite from an infected mosquito followed by a long and distressing journey back to health created a change in my path.  It's humbling that a tiny insect can bring you to your knees and keep you there for years.  I had to learn boundaries and self care.  With a loss of identity and purpose I engaged with therapy for personal support which later expanded into training as a humanistic psychotherapist. I also found great healing and community through shamanic practice and healing modalities.   I learned that what I thought was a strong work ethic had its basis in trauma, perfectionism and a lack of connection to my body.  I learned the importance of connection with ourselves, others and the natural world and developed a profound understanding that we are all connected.

From a very young age I was aware of the pain and disharmony in the world. It’s impossible not to see it today. I still believe, more than ever that something better is possible for this beautiful planet we live on, and for all those who call her home. Idealistic? Perhaps, but I see the very real evidence of profound transformation and shifts in perceptions and behaviours in my work with individuals and groups and I remain steadfastly hopeful and committed to leaving this world in a better place than when I entered.

In a myriad of ways, through different modalities - therapy, shamanic journeys, healings, dreams and play, I have been shown that showing up in the fullness of ourselves and shining brightly is what we are here to do. I have been given this message many times over the years. I was always touched by it, stunned by its truth and would revel in the vitality and energy I felt each time it presented. But then I would let if fade and get on ‘with life’. 

Sometimes there seems an uncrossable chasm between the seed of what we dream is possible and the full blossoming of this into our reality. This is where it’s useful to have some help- we are not usually meant to do it alone. 

I’m grateful for the thousands of hours I’ve sat with therapy clients, for the wisdom and teachings of my trainers and therapists and the grounded rooting in the practice and theory of this discipline.

As one of my wonderful and wise teachers, Jenner Roth once said to me

‘You can never be more than who you are. The work is to be ALL of who you are’.