Welcome to
Claire Capek Therapeutic Counselling
A safe, confidential and compassionate space where emotions, difficult feelings and experiences can be expressed, acknowledged and worked through.
Welcome
Hi, I’m Claire, an integrative therapeutic counsellor and CPCAB counselling tutor.
I believe therapy is at its best when it is authentic, human, and rooted in a genuine relationship. It is a space where you can bring the difficult things, the complicated things, and the parts of life that can be hard to put into words. It can also be a place for moments of warmth, humour, and connection.
My approach is honest, compassionate, and grounded. I will offer a space where you can explore your experiences with openness and curiosity, make sense of what you're going through, and reconnect with your own resilience, strengths and capacity for change.
Feeling Heard
Respect for your story and experience
Support without judgment
Working collaboratively with you
"Claire is incredibly kind and is a great listener. She really challenges you to talk about some deep rooted issues and makes connections to things you wouldn't have thought of before. She makes you feel safe and is truly so caring" - Client
Who I Support
I offer 1:1 therapy, both in-person and online, for adults aged 18 and over.
People have therapy for many different reasons, but often there is a shared experience; a sense that something in life no longer feels quite right. Perhaps something feels painful, overwhelming, or different from how you hoped it would be.
At different points in life, we are asked to adjust, let go, grow, or begin again. Counselling offers a space to pause, reflect, and feel supported as you navigate these changes.
I work with people at different stages of life, including university students, experiencing a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
Life transitions and change
Periods of change or uncertainty, such as starting or leaving university, moving home, relationship changes, or feeling unsure about direction or purpose, can bring up a range of emotions and questions about identity and a path forward. Therapy can offer a place to slow things down and make sense of what you're experiencing, and explore your thoughts, feelings and questions. It can help you reconnect with what matters to you, understand your needs, and find ways to navigate changes with greater clarity and self-awareness.
Relationships and connection
Relationship difficulties can leave us feeling isolated, misunderstood, or disconnected. Therapy offers a space to explore communication issues, conflict, family tensions, loneliness, and patterns within relationships.
Anxiety, stress and emotional wellbeing
Therapy can provide a space to explore anxiety, stress, burnout, low mood, panic, emotional overwhelm, or a general sense of feeling stuck or disconnected. With greater understanding and self-compassion, it is possible to feel more grounded and better equipped to navigate life's challenges.
Identity and belonging
I acknowledge and explore the many aspects of identity that can shape our experiences and sense of self, including cultural, racial and ethnic identity, mixed heritage, faith and spirituality, gender identity, class, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, age and life stage, and experiences of belonging, exclusion, or discrimination. I am committed to anti-oppressive practice, recognising the impact of power, privilege, and systemic inequality.
Self worth and self esteem
Therapy can provide a space to explore low self-esteem and self-worth, as well as patterns such as perfectionism, people-pleasing, and self-criticism. Together, these experiences can be understood with curiosity and compassion, helping to develop greater self-acceptance, healthier boundaries, and a kinder relationship with yourself.
Loss and letting go
Loss can take many forms. This might include bereavement, relationship endings, life changes, or letting go of hoped-for futures that no longer feel possible. Therapy can provide a space to process grief in all its forms and make sense of life after loss, at your own pace.
Trauma and past experiences
Sometimes, the effects of difficult or traumatic experiences can stay with us long after they have happened, whether they occurred in childhood or adulthood. Experiences such as emotional neglect, sexual abuse or sexual assault, family breakdown, harmful relationships, or other distressing events can influence how we see ourselves, relate to others, and navigate everyday life. Therapy can provide a safe, compassionate space to explore these experiences at a pace that feels right for you.
Autism informed therapy
I am an autism informed practitioner, additional training and experience has deepened my understanding of autism as a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world, recognising the importance of seeing the person rather than the diagnosis and appreciating the diversity within the autistic community. In my practice, I aim to provide a supportive, accepting and flexible therapeutic environment, adapting my approach where appropriate to meet each client's individual communication style, sensory needs and preferences. My focus is on working collaboratively, respectfully and in a neuro-affirming way, recognising each person's unique strengths, experiences and goals.
Location
My practice is based in comfortable therapy spaces in central Reading at The Practice Rooms Castle Street, easily accessible, just a 10 minute walk from Reading train station or any town centre bus stop.
Payable on-street parking is available on Castle Street.
The car parks below are all within a 10 minute walk.
Fees & availability
Therapy sessions last 50 minutes and are usually held weekly, at a cost of £65 per session.
I offer a limited number of reduced-fee spaces for students, counselling students, or those on a low income—please get in touch to check availability.
Payments can be made via bank transfer online or in cash.
Send me a message
I offer a free 20 minute discovery call to discuss your needs, and explore whether working together feels right, and whether I am the right therapist to support you.
You can also call or leave a message on 07769 426372.
All enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.