Frequently asked questions

The easiest way is to fill in the contact form on my website or email me at claire@cnmcounselling.com. I'll get back to you within 24 hours to arrange a free 20-minute consultation. From there, we'll decide together whether to go ahead with regular sessions.

No. You can contact me directly — no referral, no diagnosis, and no waiting list. Private counselling is self-referred, which means you can start whenever you're ready.

It's a 20-minute conversation — by phone, video call, or in person — where we can get to know each other a little. You can tell me what's brought you to counselling, ask any questions, and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There's no pressure and no obligation.

There's no perfect time to start counselling. Many of my clients tell me they wished they'd reached out sooner. If you're thinking about it, that's often a sign that you're ready — even if it doesn't feel that way yet. You can always start with the free consultation and see how it feels.

The first session is about creating a safe space. I'll ask a little about your situation and what you're hoping to get from counselling, but there's no pressure to share more than you're comfortable with. Most people feel a sense of relief just from having taken the step. By the end, we'll have a sense of how we'd like to work together going forward.

There's no script. Each session is 50 minutes and is led by you. You might want to talk about the person you've lost, or about how grief is showing up in your daily life. You might want to sit with difficult feelings or explore something you haven't been able to say out loud. Some sessions will feel heavy, others lighter. I follow your lead and meet you wherever you are.

Most clients start with weekly sessions. Some move to fortnightly as things settle. We'll find a rhythm that works for you — there's no fixed rule.

That depends entirely on you. Some people find that 6 to 10 sessions give them what they need. Others prefer longer-term support, particularly if the grief is layered or complex. We'll check in regularly, and you're free to stop or take a break whenever you feel ready. There's no minimum commitment and no contract.

Yes. I offer sessions by video call and by telephone, available to anyone in the UK. Many of my clients choose online sessions and find them just as helpful as meeting in person. You can also switch between in-person and online to suit your schedule.

In-person sessions at my Central London W1 practice are £65 for 50 minutes. Online sessions (video or telephone) are £55 for 50 minutes. The initial 20-minute consultation is free.

Payment is made before each session by bank transfer. Details are provided when we book your first appointment.

I ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice are charged at the full session rate. I understand that life can be unpredictable, especially when you're grieving, and I'll always be as flexible as I can.

If cost is a barrier to you accessing counselling, please talk to me. I want this to be accessible, and I'm happy to discuss options.

Almost certainly, yes. Grief can show up as sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, anxiety, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite or sleep, or a feeling of being disconnected from your own life. All of these are normal responses to loss. If what you're feeling is worrying you, that in itself is a good reason to talk to someone.

Yes. Research consistently shows that counselling helps people process grief, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and rebuild a sense of meaning and direction. But it's not about “getting over” your loss — it's about learning to carry it in a way that allows you to live fully again.

No. Grief doesn't have an expiry date. Some people come to me weeks after a bereavement, others come years later — often because something has triggered the grief again, or because they realise it never fully settled. It's never too late to seek support.

Yes. I work with all kinds of loss — relationship breakdown, health changes, infertility, redundancy, pet loss, and other life transitions. Grief is the natural response to losing something significant, whether or not a death is involved.

Grief and depression can look very similar — low mood, loss of interest, difficulty sleeping, withdrawal. The key difference is that grief is usually connected to a specific loss, while depression can feel more generalised. Sometimes grief can develop into depression, especially when it goes unprocessed for a long time. If you're unsure, counselling can help you understand what's going on and work through it.