Guiding Minds Therapy

12/11/2025

Wonderful to see the Wellbeing Team at Kings Ely, ✨👑 ✨being recognised. Kings won the Pastoral and Wellbeing category of the Innovation in Education 2025 awards!

I’m proud to be part of a team so committed to supporting young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. I love working at Kings with Prep and Senior students around my private practice ✨ 🧠 ✨

We are thrilled to announce that King's has won a national Talk Education Award! 🥳

Last week, we discovered that we were a finalist in the 'Pastoral Care and Wellbeing’ category of their '2025 Awards for Innovation in Education'.

This morning (September 11th), King's was revealed as being the category winner! 👏🏽

We were shortlisted alongside Canford School (Dorset), Chandlings Prep School (Oxfordshire), St James Prep School (London), and Westbourne House School (West Sussex).

This exciting news comes just weeks after King's was shortlisted for 'Co-educational Independent School of the Year' in the 2025 Independent Schools of the Year Awards.

It also comes just months after our school community was recognised by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) to have a significant strength. This strength is that our "commitment to pupils’ education and care is evident through the interweaving of high quality pastoral care and the dynamic enrichment programme".

A Talk Education spokesperson said: "For the fourth year running, we were blown away by the sheer number and quality of entries from hundreds of schools around the globe.

"We harnessed our team’s combined 400 years of experience and on-the-ground, insider knowledge to keep tabs on what amazing things schools have been up to, and our panel of informers and judges – experienced researchers and educational experts, former heads, teachers and advisers, all with their eyes and ears to the ground – spent the summer locked away in very heated discussion, whittling down our shortlist to the schools that have impressed them the most.

"Our awards are designed to celebrate the schools who are changing the face of independent education by forging ahead with new, revolutionary ideas. Each year, the bar gets higher and higher, and this year’s judging panel certainly had their work cut out."

This award recognises the expertise, passion, and dedication that each and every member of staff at King's has in ensuring that students feel content, safe, and nurtured. Please do share the good news! 🙌🏼

03/11/2025

🍃🌼 Hello everyone!

I hope you’re all keeping well. Here’s an update on my current working hours and availability 🌿

✨ Guiding Minds (Private, Face-to-Face Sessions):

📅 Monday: 12pm – 8pm (6 spaces)
📅 Thursday: 8:30am – 8pm (8 spaces)
📅 Saturday: 8:30am – 7:30pm (8 spaces)

🕒 Current Availability:

Fortnightly Thursday at 10am
Fortnightly Monday at 2pm

Please note, I’m currently unable to hold a waiting list for evening and weekend appointments, as most clients using health insurance continue therapy until they have fully recovered.

👩‍🏫 Other Roles:

Kings Ely Prep: School Counsellor (Tuesdays 8am – 6pm)
IESO Digital Health: Online sessions (Wednesday, Friday & Sunday mornings)

📧 Communication:

I reply to longer emails and write letters and reports on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

For shorter or new enquiries, I aim to reply within 48 hours — thank you for your patience during busy times.

I usually respond faster to emails, as my phone is often on silent.

Thank you all for your continued support 🌿

Looking forward to working with you!

Warm wishes,
Claire 🍃

25/10/2025

A busy day of therapy sessions and a little Halloween fun in between. 👻

My final client of the day loved the outfit (a lovely teen I know well) — a perfect end to a productive day! 🎃

Wishing everyone a spooktacular Halloween! 🧡

06/10/2025

October is ADHD Awareness Month! 🧡

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a recognised neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults. It impacts areas of the brain that control attention, impulse regulation, and activity levels; meaning it can look very different from person to person.

People with ADHD may experience challenges with focus, organisation, and emotional regulation; but they also often show incredible creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to hyper-focus on topics that truly interest them.

It’s important to remember that ADHD is not caused by parenting style, diet, or screen time. It’s a difference in how the brain is wired, and with the right understanding and support, children and adults with ADHD can thrive.

💬 If you’re a parent or carer looking for guidance, these UK organisations offer excellent resources and support:

- ADHD UK - a charity offering information, support, research, advocacy and awareness: https://f.mtr.cool/kmonzonobh
- ADDISS (The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service) – information, publications, and training for parents and professionals: https://f.mtr.cool/xjdrbukohr
- YoungMinds – advice and mental health support for young people with ADHD and their families: https://f.mtr.cool/gypyeghicv
- Mind - advice and mental health support: https://f.mtr.cool/mwumhvjggg

If you need information and advice about education & learning, you can find it here on our website: https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/education-learning/

You can also access our free helpline on 0808 808 3555, or by submitting an online enquiry form here: https://contact.org.uk/submit-a-helpline-query/

18/09/2025

That moment when you realise that you have a small library in your office….. 📚 🫣

I do love a book! 😊- who’s with me!?

10/09/2025

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day and we're spreading the message that it's ok to talk about su***de, in fact asking directly can help save a life. 💜

For advice on talking about su***de check out our website: https://bit.ly/4ge4qif

***dePreventionDay

02/09/2025

✨ Exciting News! ✨

I’m delighted to share that today I’ve officially joined the fabulous team at King’s Ely—transitioning from a contracted role into a permanent part-time position!
✨🏫 ✨

I’ll be providing therapy across the school, while also focusing on service development and risk management. This brings welcomed stability, a supportive team, and the benefit of a proper summer break (I haven’t received annual leave pay for years!).

That said, my work with you—my private clients—is just as meaningful and important to me. I’m committed to continuing our work together through Guiding Minds Therapy, ✨ 🧠

Here’s what my private practice hours will look like moving forward: 😊

Monday: 12 – 8 pm
Thursday & Saturday: 9am – 8 pm
Sundays: Available on demand (when needed)

Feeling proud and excited for this next chapter. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey!
✨🤗✨

30/04/2025

Back working in King’s Ely 👑 Prep this week.

A very busy first day back- support staff team meeting, creative therapy sessions for the younger ones 🎨 and CBT sessions for the seniors 🧠

Such a great place to work ✨🥰✨- the health centre team make me feel incredibly welcome and I can work between two, lovely rooms.

I hope everyone is having a chance to enjoy the lovely weather this week ✨ ☀️ ✨

25/04/2025

🩷

❤️❤️❤️

14/04/2025

Morning all! ✨🤗✨

ChatGPT generated this little boxed character for me- the realistic versions didn’t work for me, so I went for a cartoon vibe. I had to have a go!

This sums up my work life. Lots of reading to keep up to date with research and current approaches 🧐 📖 , I’m always taking notes so that I can reflect on all my sessions 📝 and with three children, a morning coffee (and decent brekky) definitely helps to give me a boost in the morning; so I can keep mentally sharp. ☕️ 🧠

Listening to music and singing in the car 🎶 on the way to and after sessions if the way I decompress and my little slice of self care 🎧

My arms are wide open, as I am approachable and open and I aim to help clients to feel safe to share. I work with everyone from little ones aged 4 to those in their golden years. I welcome and support individuals from all cultural backgrounds. My practice is neurodiversity-affirming, autism-friendly, and LGBTQ+ inclusive
👧🏼🧑🏾🧓🏻 🏳️‍🌈 ⚧️ 🏳️‍⚧️
😃 👂🏼

I have my mama mode button, as I’m a proud, playful parent- I have a teen boy, a pre teen boy and a 2 year old daughter. All of my mama experience helps me with my child, teen and parent work. I also offer a gentle, caring, and calm approach, especially for those navigating past trauma or relationship challenges
✨🫶🏻✨