Sheet 1
- Self-compassion focus
- Practical coping tools
- Healthcare background
About Claire
PACFA counsellor with five years' experience, Claire Downs focuses on stress, anxiety, self-esteem and depression. She works in Australia and offers sessions in English. Claire draws on long experience in healthcare and on her own lived experience of depression and anxiety.
Claire believes people know their own story and brings practical support to help them notice strengths. She uses self-compassion as a central way to reduce harsh self-judgement and to improve coping with day-to-day stress. Conversations are direct and paced to what the person needs at that time.
Her approach suits people facing life changes and ongoing low mood. She also helps with compassion fatigue and problems that link to relationships, such as communication, codependency and commitment worries. Other areas she addresses include body image, caregiver stress, grief around separation, and challenges that arise with ageing.
Sessions focus on small, manageable steps such as changing daily routines, practising different ways of talking to oneself, and trying new behaviours between meetings. Claire draws practical tools from evidence-based therapeutic techniques and adapts them to each person’s situation. The work is collaborative - she helps set goals and reviews progress together.
People who prefer straightforward conversation about problems and clear actions tend to find this style helpful. Before booking, confirm current session options and any practical details you need to plan visits or remote sessions.
Sheet 2
Practical therapeutic approaches and remote sessions
Claire uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and places particular emphasis on cultivating self-compassion to reduce harsh self-criticism and improve mood. Self-compassion work involves learning new ways of speaking to yourself and simple exercises to soften self-judgement, which can help with anxiety, low mood and self-esteem issues.She also draws on behavioural strategies that focus on changing small daily routines and increasing helpful activities. These techniques aim to lift low mood and make stressful days more manageable by breaking problems into clear, workable steps.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. The therapist will work with each person to test methods, set achievable goals and adjust based on what works for the individual's needs and preferences. This is a collaborative process rather than a fixed programme.
Confirm the current session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific remote options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Discussing practical arrangements before the first meeting helps ensure sessions suit everyday life and personal routines.
Sheet 3
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Sheet 4
Frequently asked questions
What issues does she commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem and depression and addresses related concerns such as compassion fatigue, caregiver stress and communication problems.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses direct, practical conversations and evidence-based techniques with an emphasis on developing self-compassion and actionable coping strategies.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Claire has five years of experience in this counselling role and a longer background working in healthcare.
What credentials and location apply?
She is listed with PACFA and offers counselling in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions arranged and paid for?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.