About Clare

 

I am particularly influenced by psychodynamic and transpersonal approaches that take a whole-person or holistic approach, looking at the here-and-now, the history that has shaped us and the unfolding future that is emerging. I’m also influenced by more body-based or somatic modalities that enable us to access our feelings more fully. 

When you work with me, I hold a non-judgemental, open and expansive space where you can be with all the parts of you - your thoughts, emotions, experiences, stories, beliefs, desires, and the parts that might be hard to name.  We’ll work together in a collaborative way that is responsive to whatever is arising in each session.  My intention is to both be with you in process, and to help you understand your process.

I have studied the neurobiology of trauma, have my own personal experience of trauma-informed practice, and integrate evidenced-based modes of trauma-informed practice into my own therapeutic practice. Being someone with a history of complex relational trauma myself, I have developed - and continue to develop - the felt sense, for how to be with these deeply painful parts of our experience. While healing from very early trauma can sometimes be a long journey, I know first-hand that it is possible, and that the process itself can be far more beautiful than we might have imagined before we begun.

In my experience, even if you don’t identify as someone who has experienced trauma, many people can benefit from the presence, gentleness, and compassion that this kind of wounding invites us to develop.

The kinds of issues that people come to me with include: 

  • a desire to develop their own felt sense - to experience themselves, their bodies, and their relationships more deeply and intimately;

  • feeling anxious, depressed, stressed, or numb;

  • a loss of purpose and meaning;

  • experiencing a loss of confidence in self, abilities, worthiness or sense of value. Sometimes this can be accompanied by shame that feels new and hard to pinpoint;

  • considering getting ADHD diagnosis, or recently received ADHD diagnosis, but curious about the impact of their formative years on their mind-body-being (some of you may have heard of Gabor Maté’s work, who I am broadly in alignment with);

  • relationship and intimacy challenges including exploring non-monogamy;

  • sexual problems or questions around sexuality;

  • questions of identity, and belonging;

  • wanting to understand or integrate spiritual or trans-personal experiences;

  • difficulties coping with grief and loss or coming to terms with mortality;

  • assistance with integrating experiences with psychedelics and entheogens;

  • physical symptoms such as pain, that might be arising from emotional stress.

“This work helped me to connect with what I care most deeply about, and be with the parts of myself that are scared and believe that what I long for isn't possible. Clare’s style is responsive and empowering - she brings me to the edge of what I feel is possible for myself, and helps me develop my capacity to live at that edge.”