Together we will find a way
to move forward.
About Me.
Hi, I am Claire. Originally from Taiwan, I used to be a business consultant for an international firm before retraining as a psychotherapist in London 20 years ago. Having experienced work stress and peer competition, I helped many professionals work through their burn out, general anxiety and depression. I am currently working with academics, high tech engineers, corporate and other clients.
I have also supported many clients, who relocated from Europe or America or the second generation of immigrants from Asia, to navigate their cultural identity and sense of belonging. Moreover, I have substantial experience of helping clients work though difficult life events: career change, divorce, loss and bereavement as well as fertility issues, etc.
My work is trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming. I use different approaches: CBT, psychodynamic, embodiment, existential, relational and dream work…tailoring therapy to your individual needs. Whatever you find difficult to cope with, counselling is a safe space to help you untangle complicated issues/patterns and support you to restore your well-being so that you can make positive changes.
I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work ethically in line with the BACP Ethical Framework.
Qualification & Training
2026-
2009-2015
Certificate in Couples Counselling for Depression
Tavistock Relationships, London
MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling
Regent's University London
2011-2013
PG Diploma in Spiritual Guidance through Transpersonal Dreamwork
Centre of Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE), London
Individual Counselling & Psychotherapy
There can be an old stigma associated with seeing a counsellor, a preconception of being asked "What's wrong with you?". Nowadays in the therapy room, however, we ask clients "What happened to you?". Every mental health difficulty, from depression, anxiety disorder, OCD to schizophrenia, can be seen as an understandable response or way of coping in order to survive. That is why it is pointless for your friends to tell you "don't think too much/don't be so anxious". What you really need is to be supported in making sense of how you are affected by whatever happened to you physically, emotionally or psychologically (due to e.g. a trauma, sudden change or adversity), so that you can then replace destructive patterns with a healthier coping strategy.
Even when your life is crowded by work and/or family life, you may experience loneliness or a sense of emptiness, rejection or isolation which can cause all kinds of problems. Many clients come to therapy because they have been trying so hard to be accepted or to meet the expectations of others, but deep inside they feel worthless, not lovable or never good enough. Particularly in modern days, people can feel addicted to smart phones without being aware that this often is due to their essential need to belong and feel connected to others.
When clients come to counselling, most important for me is to really listen and understand what is going on in their world. I meet a person with respect, empathy and sensitivity, including if you are from different cultural or religious backgrounds. No matter what issues concern you, there must be some significance behind them. I aim to support you to understand what is stopping you to feel connected with yourself, people around you and the outside world, in order to explore and live a life that is surrounded by love, meaning and real fulfilment.
My training background is integrative, meaning I do not have a fixed model to work with you; instead, I aim to understand your worldview and work to meet your individual needs. I provide a trustworthy, non-judgemental and compassionate space for you to explore issues that you find difficult to deal with. In particular, I have a strong interest in working with dreams to help you be in touch with deeper feelings, the characters which have been repressed or dissociated, or your inner resources, such as intuition or spiritual guidance. Clients are encouraged to record dreams and bring them to therapy sessions.
I have experience in supporting clients in:
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coping with stress, anxiety, worries, negativities, or depression (from study/work/relationships, etc.);
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going through crisis, loss, bereavement or life transitions/uncertainty;
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going through IVF or coping with miscarriages/infertility issues;
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gaining clarity on thoughts, feelings and real needs in order to make difficult decisions or major life changes;
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working through anger, shame, guilt or self-criticism/doubts to improve confidence, self-acceptance and self-worth;
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recognising talents, potential, strength, resilience and other inner resources;
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integrating mind, body and feelings, particularly by using dreamwork;
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dealing with family or relationship issues to develop a deeper sense of inner security, belonging and intimacy. It takes a lot of effort to build up and maintain good relationships. Often we need to learn how to love ourselves before we know how to love and take care of others.
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reconnecting with love, meaning and joy in life to improve your well-being.
Sessions and Availability
I provide counselling to individual adults in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
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I offer a free initial meeting or telephone call. This is to discuss your needs and find out whether we could work together. This meeting usually involves information gathering which might last 15 minutes.
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Sessions could be short-term (i.e. 6 to 12 sessions ) or long-term (open ended), which we discuss together in our first session and then review on a regular basis.
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Sessions are weekly at the same day and time, and last 50 minutes. It is important that you commit to attend regularly in order to gain the most out of your sessions.
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I offer face-to-face sessions in the daytime and some evenings in central Bristol (Queen Square) or North Bristol (Gloucester Road). Please contact me for more details.
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I also have extensive experience with and offer online sessions.
Fees
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Free initial meeting or telephone call for 15 minutes.
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£70 per session thereafter.
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Fees are payable by bank transfer. I can provide an invoice at the end of month.
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Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice require full payment.
Privacy Statement
This statement confirms how I, Wei-hsien Chien, of clairechien.com use and protect any information that you give to me when you use this service. It explains how I comply with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), the DPA (Data Protection Act) and the PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations).
I am committed to safeguarding and protecting your information. If I ask you for any information, it will only be used according to this privacy statement. I may change this policy from time to time in line with legislation and I advise that you check this page in order to be aware of any changes. This policy is effective from May 2018.
By continuing to use my website, clairechien.com, you are accepting and consenting to the practices described in this policy and agreeing to my use of cookies, described below. Any changes to this policy will be on this page and, if relevant, you will be notified by email.
For the purpose of Data Protection Act 1998 and General Data Protection Regulation 2016, Wei-hsien Chien is the data controller of clairechien.com. Wix.com is the processor of the website and is subject to the same obligation to comply with the GDPR.
Like most websites, this website uses Google Analytics (GA). This data is used to look at the number of people using the site, how they find it and how they journey through the website. It also records your IP address, which can personally identify you. Google does not give me access to this information.
You may also give me information such as your name, address and telephone number by completing the form on my site or by contacting me by telephone or email.
Where necessary, to act in your best interests, I may need to process information that is sensitive in nature such as health information. In some circumstances, I may need to share this information with a third party such as a GP. I would advise that you do not share personal, sensitive information on my website but, if you choose to do so, then you will be allowing me to process it as part of my services to you.
Cookies
My site does use cookies in order to distinguish you from other users. You are able to disable cookies which will prevent your visit being tracked. Some cookies are essential for the website to work properly. I would advise you to disable cookies on your internet browser regularly. Please see http://www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/ to provide you with information about cookies and http://www.aboutcookies.org/ for advice about deleting and managing cookies.
