A warm, open-minded space to untangle life when it feels like too much.

Claire Beard

Therapeutic Counsellor
Bishop's Stortford / Ware / Online

I'm Claire, an integrative counsellor in East Hertfordshire working with individuals aged 16+. I aim to offer a safe, warm-hearted space where you can explore whatever may be troubling you.

I'm an Integrative Counsellor, with a strong foundation in the Person-Centred approach. This means that I believe you already have the answers within you, and I'm just here to facilitate your journey to find them. I also have some creative tools up my sleeve to encourage deeper exploration of the self, which can lead to greater understanding and self-compassion.

About me

I live in Bishop's Stortford with my partner, Dean, and our tortoiseshell cat, Sage.

My own journey to becoming a counsellor began by being in the client's chair. I know how daunting it can be to reach out for support, and I think this experience helps me on the other side of the therapy room. I'll always go at your pace, and I aim to build a therapeutic partnership based on trust, empathy and transparency.

I'm currently taking clients and have good daytime availability. Evening availability is limited.

Neuro-affirming

A big part of my work is supporting neurodivergent individuals (including ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, and those who are exploring or self-identifying).

Having a neurodivergent brain myself, I find this shared lived experience helps create a deeply understanding, safe space. Together, we can look at what your unique brain needs, unpack a lifetime of masking, coping mechanisms, and misunderstandings, or navigate the heavy weight of burnout.

My role isn't to diagnose, but to facilitate exploration.

Open-minded

There isn't much you could bring to therapy that I consider taboo. Whether you’re navigating day-to-day struggles or exploring thoughts, feelings, or identities that feel "too complicated" to talk about anywhere else, there is no judgment here.

I offer a genuinely non-judgmental space that is kink-friendly, queer-safe, and affirming of polyamory, ethical non-monogamous (ENM) relationships, and alternative lifestyles. As long as you and others are safe, everything is open for exploration. Here you will find warmth, curiosity, and a safe place to land.

Spiritually Safe

Whether you are navigating a spiritual awakening, integrating a profound, unusual or unexplained experience, or untangling your path after leaving a previous belief system, there is room for all of it here. You do not need a formal religious background or a specific philosophical framework to explore your spiritual life.

I will not pathologize your beliefs or try to fit them into a rigid box. I offer a grounded, warm, and open space where we can explore your unique relationship with the universe with curiosity and respect.

What's therapy like?

My goal in session is to immerse myself in your world, with a warm heart and open mind. As we move around your world, I'll reflect back what I'm seeing, hearing, feeling, and sensing. You can tell me if you feel my observations are wrong - this helps me understand your world even better, and I strive for a transparent and honest therapeutic relationship.

As you lead me around your world, I may highlight something that you hadn't noticed before, or had long forgotten. This is an important part of therapy; we all have blind spots that are nearly impossible to uncover on our own, but could be impacting us unconsciously in our daily lives. Together, we can bring these things forward, observe them, feel them, and analyse them, with the goal of eventually accepting and integrating them. This greater sense of understanding ourselves can help to make space for self-compassion and growth.

Contact

Get In Touch

How it works:

Reach out: Fill out the short form below or send me a text.
Brief chat: We’ll arrange a free, informal 10-minute phone call to see if we're a good fit.
First session: If you feel comfortable moving forward, we’ll book your first session at your pace.

Prefer a direct message? You can also email me at clairebeardtherapy@gmail.com or text me on 07404 011 368. I aim to reply to all messages within 48 hours.