Our Story
Holden Place Therapy was founded by Claire Dale BA (Hons) MBACP, whose personal and professional experience of loss inspired the creation of a practice where people can explore life’s challenges with honesty, care, and hope.
From our own experience we understand that finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. You may even be wondering, “Do I really need therapy?”
We believe that the right therapeutic relationship, at the right time, can be transformative. The connection we build together is always our starting point.
After a series of personal losses in 2015, Claire experienced therapy as a lifeline, a space that allowed her to understand herself more deeply and find new meaning and purpose. That experience shaped our values today: no two stories are ever the same, and therapy should never be one-size-fits-all.
Our Motivation
People often ask what draws us to this work, why we choose to sit with pain, loss, and uncertainty.
We’re passionate about the power of therapy to bring clarity, hope, and change. That passion comes from both sides of the room, as therapists and as people who have needed support ourselves.
We remain committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and growth so that the therapy we offer stays attuned, meaningful, and effective.
Our Approach
Our work is grounded in a person-centred foundation, with an integrative approach that draws on different therapeutic perspectives to meet the unique needs of each client.
We offer more than comfort and empathy. Through deep listening and gentle challenge, our face-to-face sessions create space for clarity, strength, and a renewed sense of meaning and purpose to develop.
Whether you come to therapy for a short time or a longer journey, our aim is always the same, to offer a steady, compassionate space where you can reconnect with yourself and move forward with greater understanding and resilience.
Who We Work With
We work with adults (18+) navigating bereavement, midlife transitions, relationship changes, identity shifts, and the quieter griefs that come with letting go of old roles and expectations.
Many who come to us are used to coping well, but life has thrown one challenge too many. Others describe feeling lost after change or unsure how to reconnect with who they are.
This is their first experience of therapy, they may feel they “should just get on with it” or worry that seeking help is self-indulgent. We make therapy approachable and pressure-free, so you can talk openly and at your own pace.
We welcome clients of all genders, ages, and backgrounds, offering a sensitive counselling space where everyone is respected. Some come briefly to steady themselves through a difficult time, while others stay longer.
“Claire was fantastic. She helped me understand my feelings surrounding my bereavement. I can now talk about my emotions around grief without being overwhelmed. I feel incredibly lucky to have had Claire as my therapist, she was easy to talk to and has an incredible gift of empathy and calmness.”
- Shelly, 41.