Claire Duhan 
Counselling and Psychotherapy

Welcome! My name is Claire and I am a warm and attentive therapist working in Oxford on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

 

​​​I am BACP registered, DBS checked, and hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Practice from Oxford University. It was a training that required intense self-reflection and that I attend my own therapy, so I have sat in the client's chair myself. As a responsible clinician, I am professionally insured and in regular supervision, and I am active in examining where I might hold privilege and unconscious bias. Alongside my private practice, I also work at a charity and have had prior experience in the third sector with bereavement, supporting victims of crime, and community counselling. 

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My approach is gentle, so we can go at your own pace to face your difficulties with curiosity and compassion, not judgement. Therapy is an opportunity to connect and improve relationships, as well as to think about making changes in your life that feel authentic and in line with your values and needs. It can be hard to find space for yourself but dedicating a regular time to reflect and be heard compassionately, confidentially, and non-judgementally can be beneficial and empowering.

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I have experience working with a wide variety of situations and challenges, including bereavement, anxiety, depression, sex and relationship issues, low self-esteem, trauma, and family dynamics, including intergenerational trauma, sibling relationships, caring responsibilities, parenting and grandparenting.​

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My approach is informed by psychodynamic thinking, which means that we consider what might be happening for you both consciously and unconsciously. I draw from various theories, while considering what is helpful and ethical in my modern-day practice. In addition, I offer the option to work alongside talk therapy, if clients wish, with paper and pens to work through issues together visually and creatively.

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I ​am trauma-informed, which means that I understand that trust and safety need to be built together over time. I am mindful of how different contexts and identities interact with traumatic experiences and their aftermaths. We can think together about ways to find your voice and make choices to help you thrive. I consider the role of the body in my work and how you relate to it, as well as how it may influence how you move through the world. 

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I welcome LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent clients, including if you are wondering about this for yourself. This means that I give you space to think about and identify as you wish, in your own time. I look for ways to encourage pride and compassion in your choices without directing them. I also recognise the challenges that can arise and that they may overlap with other parts of your life. Clients are welcome to bring their fidget toys and I also provide my own, as well as checking if there are any sensory or communication preferences that I can be sensitive to. 

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You can also find me on the BACP directory, https://thepracticerooms.co.uk/find-a-therapist/profile/claire-duhan, and Counselling Directory https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/claire-duhan

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Practicalities are explained below, so do get in contact and send a message to me.