Claire Spendlove

Hello, my name is Claire. I'm a qualified counsellor and a registered member of the BACP. 

I have a private practice close to Southampton and work with adults in person, and remotely, via telephone or online platforms.

I work predominantly with a humanistic model and a collaborative approach, meeting clients with compassion, understanding and warmth, providing a safe and confidential space where feelings, thoughts and behaviours can be explored. 

I believe that each person is the expert in their own life. I provide a non-judgemental space and compassionate presence for you to talk about your concerns, address life's challenges and together establish how to navigate through them.  Counselling can also enable new personal insights that enable change and improve overall confidence and wellbeing.

My training is in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis, a model of counselling which focuses on how we interact with others and how we see ourselves, others and the world around us. 

I offer face to face sessions from a beautiful Grade 2 listed Georgian building called Rownhams House, situated in 12 acres of quiet and peaceful woodlands and gardens. With close access to the M27, Rownhams is conveniently situated for Southampton, Winchester, Romsey, and the surrounding Hampshire villages. There is plenty of free onsite parking for clients.

Online and telephone sessions are also available. 

Finding the right counsellor for you is important, and I offer a free 15 minute phone call before the initial appointment for you to assess whether you feel comfortable enough to proceed and for us both to determine whether we feel we can work together.

The first session can feel daunting, with the thought of sharing your most personal thoughts and feelings with a complete stranger. This is not what will happen, we will work at your pace and you only ever need to share what you are comfortable with. I will give you the space and time you need for trust to build. 

At your first session we will look at the counselling relationship, how it works and what to expect. We will discuss your individual needs, how many sessions might be required and determine whether counselling is right for you. 

If you decide to go ahead, we can then agree a regular appointment time and establish how counselling will benefit you.