About Claire
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Claire is the Neurodiversity Ambassador for the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. She is passionate about promoting greater acceptance of neurological differences and improving authenticity and quality of life for all. Claire is autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) and is a mother to three children.
Claire is an expert in providing therapeutic intervention via creative expression and talking therapies to adults and children at risk of suicide and self-harm. While mainly working within the community and private practice Claire also writes and delivers bespoke Neurodiversity training for a variety of settings.
Claire is currently in private practice in Newtownabbey working with children and adults. She is predominately focused on supporting those with neurological differences such as autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity (or exploring the possibility that they may be).
In addition, Claire is completing a PhD at Ulster University exploring intergenerational trauma relating to the conflict (‘The Troubles’) in Northern Ireland/The North of Ireland. Her interdisciplinary study seeks to understand the impact of the cultural setting in NI on the phenomenon of mural placement and content.
Claire’s ambition is to advocate for those who consider themselves neurodivergent. She is enthusiastic about affirmative support and societal conversations that value differences in thinking which are informed and communicated by those who identify as being in a neurominority group (autism, ADHD dyslexia, dyscalculia etc) and current research.
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She has a keen interest in community art therapy participation and its part in building local resiliency.
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Services
Well-being Services: Counselling, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, Group Workshops, Art Group Workshops, Creative Mindfulness
Adult Training/Workshops: Neurodiversity, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Intergenerational Trauma, Conflict-related Trauma
Children/Young People Training/Workshops: Mental Health and well-being, Creative Mindfulness, Anxiety & coping skills
Children's Art for well-being Workshops
Creative Mindfulness Classes
Neurodiversity Training
Neurodiversity training for teachers, parents, schools, practitioners etc
Group Art therapy
Small group art therapy for adults and young people.
What to do if you are not feeling ok
1
NHS
Dial 999 in an emergency or go to your nearest hospital A&E department
or
​Call or contact NHS 111 for professional health advice, 24/7 or
Book an emergency GP appointment
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2
Phone support
Call Samaritans on 116 123 (24/7 freephone)
or
Call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
Text phone users can contact 18001 0808 808 8000.
3
Non-emergency
Connect with people around you (family, friends, neighbours, colleagues) can help. Invest time in these connections.
Or
Connecting with art can improve your mood and increase your self-esteem. This can be through many different ways, from visiting galleries, to finding objects, making art, or taking a mindful walk and appreciating the environment.