Claire Cotgrove, BACP

Claire Cotgrove offers a calm, non-judgemental space for people wrestling with sexuality, gender questions, trauma or relationship strain. She greets clients with warmth and listens closely to what they bring. The first conversations focus on what matters to the person and on small steps they want to take next.

Claire uses a person-centred style that puts the client at the heart of therapy. Sessions are led by the client’s concerns and pace, while the counsellor reflects back thoughts and feelings to help build self-understanding. She also draws on trauma-focused ways of working when past harm is getting in the way of daily life.

Her practice supports people dealing with LGBTQ issues, neurodivergence, domestic abuse, relationship problems, loss and grief, and intimacy or sexuality-related concerns. Claire also helps with the knock-on effects of trauma such as shame, guilt and low self-esteem. She mentions additional areas like attachment, commitment and communication problems where conversations often begin.

Claire is a BACP member, with three years of practice experience. She combines professional training with life experience to offer an empathic presence in sessions. Creative options can be offered alongside talking when that feels helpful.

People who choose Claire can expect a steady, patient approach where their experience shapes the work. The focus is on helping clients feel heard, increase self-understanding and move towards clearer choices about relationships and identity.

How Claire’s approaches adapt to online therapy

Claire uses client-centred therapy to follow what the person brings to sessions, offering a listening style that emphasises empathy, acceptance and the client’s own goals. This approach helps with identity questions, relationship worries and building self-understanding.

She also uses trauma-focused therapy where needed, which concentrates on understanding how past hurt affects present feelings and behaviours and on practical ways to reduce distress and improve daily coping.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The counsellor will work with the client to decide which methods suit their concerns, goals and preferences, and can adapt the way sessions run as the work develops.

Please confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into everyday life, for example by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins during a busy day, or letting someone choose quieter surroundings that suit them. Talk with the counsellor about practical arrangements so sessions fit around work, family commitments and other routines.