Claire is a registered psychotherapist working within the specialism of child and adolescent practice. She is warm and empathetic and creates a non-judgemental and supportive space for young people and their families. Her personal and theoretical philosophy regards the need for people to form strong, healthy connections with one another and primarily, oneself.
In the course of a child’s development there may be times where they experience difficulty expressing their inner world and return to old patterns of coping that contribute to feeling ‘stuck’, or newfound methods that may only provide relief in a temporary or contextual way. Claire specialises in providing a safe and reflective space to support children and adolescents who may display confusing, challenging or concerning behaviours and feelings, together finding a new way of being and thinking. Her work with you and your young person involves a gentle exploration of the nature of your child’s difficulties, making meaningful sense of these and in turn restoring healthy emotional development and the capacity for hope.
Claire recognises that psychotherapy can be a challenging and deeply fulfilling process, for both caregiver and young person. Parent sessions are an important part of Claire’s practice, as a strong working relationship with you is of value to the therapeutic relationship she holds with your child.
Claire’s work combines psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and attachment theory and research. She has amassed experience working within the non-profit and private sector. Claire works sensitively with grief, trauma, separation and loss, anger, low mood and anxiety, pre-verbal experiences, somatisation and has a particular interest working with children and families where relationships feel strained or difficult.
Professional Qualifications
MPsychotherapy, Auckland University of Technology (with 1st Class Honours)
GradDipHSc, Auckland University of Technology
Memberships to Professional Colleges/Boards
Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand
New Zealand Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists
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