Claire Rimmington
Counselling. Personal development. Bereavement counselling. Cancer support. Mid-life & Retirement.
I offer counselling to individual adults using Person Centred Therapy, Transactional Analysis and CBT.
About me
I work in private practice and am a volunteer counsellor for Macmillan Cancer Care, supporting clients as they adjust to their own or a loved one’s cancer journey.
I have had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life with anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship issues, self-esteem, self-awareness, ill health, redundancy, retirement and much more.
I have refrained from a finance background, and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I really value the time I spend working with and learning from each of my clients.
My philosophy
I understand how our experience and past shapes our view of ourselves, others and the world. I believe we all deserve this knowledge so that we can decide if our old way of being is still helpful. Or is there a new way? I can help you figure this out. The past no longer needs to impact your future.
I believe everyone deserves greater understanding of themselves and support with their mental health. You are not alone and you deserve support.
The most important element of your therapy will be our relationship. Within our relationship, you can learn, grow and heal. I understand that therapy is not ‘one size fits all’ I will work to understand where you are right now, and I will meet you there.
My approach
As your therapist, I provide a space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. I won’t give advice because I know you’re the expert of yourself and your life, although it might not always feel that way. As an integrative counsellor, I work in a way that suits you best.
If I think a particular intervention could be helpful for you, I’ll introduce it and you decide whether you’d like to know more. Some clients know what they’re looking for and that’s absolutely fine too.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [CBT] can be helpful with many mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and stress. If we liken mental health issues to a fire, I like the analogy that CBT isn’t looking for the match that started the fire, it deals with what’s keeping it burning. Once the fire is out, we can go back to look at how it started if you like.
Our thoughts affect our feelings which affect how we behave which affects how we think and so on and so on. CBT identifies unhelpful thinking patterns, to challenge and change them – change your mind, change your life.
Transactional Analysis can really help us to understand our personality and behaviours. It can give new insight to our relationships and improve our communication.
I work face to face here at The Affinity Centre and online or on the telephone.
What could you achieve?
- Reduced anxiety
- Greater enjoyment of life
- Improved relationships
- Less overwhelm
- More resilience and control
- Career enhancement
- A life lived on your terms, aligned with your needs and values.
I like to think of personal growth as a curation project, and you are the greatest project you’ll ever work on.
Experience and additional training
I have specific experience supporting parents; I have worked with HomestartUK and have additional qualifications in ‘Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health’ which enhances my offering to parents and guardians.
In my counselling role at Macmillan, I have completed ‘Patients who are Parents’ training, I am here for parents with terminal or life-limiting illness, offering support on communicating with their child or teenager, delivering upsetting health news and everyday parenting challenges.
I have also been a counsellor at Get Oldham Working [GOW] Therapy for 2 years. This has given me experience and understanding of mental health issues in the workplace.
I have ‘Mental Health First Aid and Workplace Advocacy’ qualifications. I can provide employee mental health support for small – medium enterprises.
I am BACP registered and work to their Ethical Framework.
I have an enhanced DBS certificate.