Claire’s Story
Holden Place Therapy was founded by Claire Dale, a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (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.
Claire understands that finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. You may even be wondering, “Do I really need therapy?”
Claire believes that the right therapeutic relationship, at the right time, can be transformative. The connection built together is always the 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 shapes Claire’s values today: no two stories are ever the same, and therapy should never be one-size-fits-all.
Claire’s Motivation
People often ask what draws Claire to this work, why she chooses to sit with pain, loss, and uncertainty.
Claire is passionate about the power of therapy to bring clarity, hope, and change. That passion comes from both sides of the room, as a therapist and as someone who has needed support herself.
Claire remains committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and growth so that the therapy she offers stays attuned, meaningful, and effective.
Claire’s Approach
Claire’s 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.
Claire offers more than comfort and empathy. Through deep listening and gentle challenge, sessions create space for clarity, strength, and a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.
Whether you come to therapy for a short time or a longer journey, Claire’s 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.
Is Therapy Right for You?
Claire works 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 Claire 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 often their first experience of therapy, they may feel they “should just get on with it” or worry that seeking help is self-indulgent. Claire makes therapy approachable and pressure-free, so you can talk openly and at your own pace.
Claire welcomes 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.
So, if you are reading this and wondering if therapy is right for you just fill in the contact form and have an informal chat with Claire and take it from there.
“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.