Ember & Flow Counselling
Counselling in Guildford, Runfold & Online
“The Curious Paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Carl Rodgers
Welcome to Ember & Flow Counselling
Hello, I’m Claire.
If you’ve landed here, you might be wondering what therapy with me might be like — beyond the idea of sitting in silence, or swimming in sadness. I want you to know from the outset: counselling with me is so much more than that.
Therapy can be deep, moving, and confronting — and it can also be surprisingly light. There’s room for laughter, curiosity, frustration, relief, and those quiet “oh… that makes sense now” moments. I'm a warm, relational, sometimes quirky therapist who shows up as a real person— not a blank, expressionless face - I'm really quite the opposite!
I work collaboratively and honestly. I won’t judge you, analyse you from a distance, or position myself as the expert on your life. I definitely don’t believe in rigid power dynamics in therapy — in my experience, they can do more harm than good. Instead, we work together. I’ll walk alongside you, gently noticing patterns, naming blind spots with care, and shining a light on ways of being that may once have protected you, but are now holding you back.
I’m trained as an integrative counsellor, which simply means I draw from different therapeutic approaches and adapt to you — not the other way around.
At the heart of my work is a person-centred approach. I believe you already have the capacity for change, and my role is to offer warmth, honesty, and acceptance so you can explore yourself safely, without being judged.
I also work psychodynamically, which means we may gently explore how past experiences, early relationships, and unconscious patterns show up in your present life — especially when you feel stuck, reactive, or confused by your own responses.
Alongside this, my work is attachment-informed. I pay close attention to how you connect, protect yourself, or pull away — and how these patterns were shaped. Therapy itself can become a place to experience something different.
I have extensive experience working with both adults and young people, and alongside a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, I also have a CPCAB qualification of Level 5 Diploma Counselling Children and Young People.
I support people from 11+ with self-harm and suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression, trauma and complex grief, neurodiversity, relationship and attachment difficulties, shame, self-esteem, identity and emotional regulation.
I have worked with several charities and built long-term, meaningful therapeutic relationships where I have seen genuine and lasting change.
Alongside my private practice, I work as a school-based counsellor in a local secondary school, supporting children and young people from 11 years of age presenting with a wide range of complex emotional and relational needs.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within their ethical framework, with a strong emphasis on autonomy, collaboration, and care. I am also an accredited member of National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
I offer face-to-face counselling in Guildford and Runfold in Surrey as well as online sessions.
If you’re looking for therapy that is human, thoughtful, occasionally humorous, and rooted in real relationship — you might feel at home working with me.
Warmly,
Claire
Introducing Milo the Lion Dog
At Ember & Flow Counselling, I believe that every child deserves support to understand and express their emotions—especially during times of loss. I'm incredibly proud to share my first children's book, Milo the Lion Dog, a gentle story created to help children navigate grief with compassion, hope and love.
The book was born from my own family's experience. Knowing our beloved dog, Milo, was becoming unwell, I secretly began writing a story for my daughter, Scarlet. As a neurodivergent young person, she was struggling to make sense of the emotions that come with anticipating the loss of someone so deeply loved. I wanted to create something that would help her understand that grief is a natural expression of love and that she would never be alone in it.
As both a therapeutic counsellor and a mum, I soon realised this story could reach far beyond our own family. Every day, I work with children and young people who are experiencing bereavement, change and other significant losses. I know how difficult these conversations can be, and how powerful stories can be in helping children explore feelings they don't yet have the words for.
Milo the Lion Dog is a heartfelt story for children, families, schools, counsellors and anyone supporting a child through loss. Whether the loss is of a beloved pet or another important person in their life, my hope is that this book offers comfort, reassurance and the gentle reminder that love never truly leaves us. Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and support my work. If Milo the Lion Dog helps even one child feel a little less alone, then it has achieved exactly what it was written to do.
Session & Fees
I offer both face-to-face counselling at my practice in Guildford and Runfold and also online counselling via Teams, so you can choose what fits best with your lifestyle and needs.
• Session length: 50 minutes
• Fee: £60 per session, payable on the day
I am pleased to be able to open up my practice to 11 to 17 year olds. Options of face to face and online available.
Location
I offer in-person sessions in Guildford which is easily accessible from areas such as Godalming, Farnham, Aldershot.
In person sessions are also available in Runfold, between Farnham and Aldershot.
I also offer online sessions for those further afield.
The Meaning Behind Ember & Flow
I came up with the name Ember & Flow because I wanted it to represent the inner flame that remains even in our darkest moments—a quiet strength, resilience, and warmth that never fully goes out.
• Ember symbolises hope, the part of you waiting to be gently rekindled.
• Flow speaks to the emotional movement and natural healing that occurs when we feel truly safe and seen.
Together, Ember & Flow reflects the therapeutic journey—honouring both stillness and motion, the deep inner work and the gentle unfolding that follows. I aim to offer a space that holds both: a steady presence for your ember, and the freedom to flow into healing, at your own pace.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.