Life can be overwhelming when anxiety, grief or trauma take hold. I understand how isolating and frightening these experiences can feel, and I provide a compassionate space where you can feel heard, supported and understood, and achieve peace of mind.
My decision in 2016 to become a counsellor was shaped by my own lived experiences of anxiety, trauma, loss, neurodivergence, health challenges and personal growth.
During my school years, I was psychologically bullied – an experience that gradually eroded my confidence and sense of safety. In my late teens and early 20s, the effects of that time began to surface as intense health and social anxiety. Eventually, I developed severe panic attacks that became so frequent I became housebound with agoraphobia. I felt trapped inside both my home and my own mind.
Becoming a mother at 30 was a turning point. I realised I needed support to ensure my anxiety didn’t affect him. With the support of compassionate professionals, I began to face my fears one step at a time. It was not easy – healing rarely is – but through counselling, I discovered not only recovery, but also a deep desire to help others find their own path through pain and towards healing.
In the years that followed, I experienced several significant bereavements. Grief became another powerful teacher, showing me the depth of human love and vulnerability, while increasing my interest in spirituality. At times the weight of loss felt unbearable, but counselling once again became a lifeline. Having a safe space to talk, cry, rant and make sense of the chaos literally saved my life. That experience strengthened my belief in the healing power of being heard and supported.
I have volunteered for many years with the Road Victims Trust (RVT), a charity that supports people affected by fatal road collisions. In this role, I help individuals navigate the profound grief, loss and trauma that follow the sudden death of their loved one. It means so much to me now that I can help others navigate their own grief journeys – holding a safe, supportive space for their pain, their memories and their hope for life beyond loss.
In 2011, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Living with ongoing pain and fatigue has given me a profound understanding of the physical and emotional challenges that can accompany chronic health conditions. It has informed my counselling practice by deepening my empathy for others navigating long-term health difficulties, the frustration of feeling misunderstood, and the impact that physical conditions can have on mental wellbeing.
More recently, I’ve also come to understand how ADHD has influenced my life. This realisation has brought clarity and self-compassion, helping me make sense of many of my past struggles with racing thoughts, overwhelm, relationships, emotional dysregulation, self-esteem and the deep frustration of feeling ‘different’ without knowing why. It has also deepened my empathy for others who live with neurodivergence and the challenges it can bring, and how vital it is to feel truly understood. I know that we are not ‘broken’ or need fixing.
Today, I work with adults experiencing anxiety, loss, low self-worth, trauma, chronic health challenges and the emotional impact of neurodivergence, both face-to-face in my therapy studio in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, and across the UK online. My past no longer defines me; it inspires me to create a safe, supportive space where others can find understanding, growth and renewed hope.
"A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it is built for" - Albert Einstein
Clare Annand, Dip.Couns., BSc (Hons)
Integrative Counsellor & Owner
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Life can be overwhelming when anxiety, grief or trauma take hold. I understand how isolating and frightening these experiences can feel, and I provide a compassionate space where you can feel heard, supported and understood, and achieve peace of mind.
My decision in 2016 to become a counsellor was shaped by my own lived experiences of anxiety, trauma, loss, neurodivergence, health challenges and personal growth.
During my school years, I was psychologically bullied – an experience that gradually eroded my confidence and sense of safety. In my late teens and early 20s, the effects of that time began to surface as intense health and social anxiety. Eventually, I developed severe panic attacks that became so frequent I became housebound with agoraphobia. I felt trapped inside both my home and my own mind.
Becoming a mother at 30 was a turning point. I realised I needed support to ensure my anxiety didn’t affect him. With the support of compassionate professionals, I began to face my fears one step at a time. It was not easy – healing rarely is – but through counselling, I discovered not only recovery, but also a deep desire to help others find their own path through pain and towards healing.
In the years that followed, I experienced several significant bereavements. Grief became another powerful teacher, showing me the depth of human love and vulnerability, while increasing my interest in spirituality. At times the weight of loss felt unbearable, but counselling once again became a lifeline. Having a safe space to talk, cry, rant and make sense of the chaos literally saved my life. That experience strengthened my belief in the healing power of being heard and supported.
I have volunteered for many years with the Road Victims Trust (RVT), a charity that supports people affected by fatal road collisions. In this role, I help individuals navigate the profound grief, loss and trauma that follow the sudden death of their loved one. It means so much to me now that I can help others navigate their own grief journeys – holding a safe, supportive space for their pain, their memories and their hope for life beyond loss.
In 2011, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Living with ongoing pain and fatigue has given me a profound understanding of the physical and emotional challenges that can accompany chronic health conditions. It has informed my counselling practice by deepening my empathy for others navigating long-term health difficulties, the frustration of feeling misunderstood, and the impact that physical conditions can have on mental wellbeing.
More recently, I’ve also come to understand how ADHD has influenced my life. This realisation has brought clarity and self-compassion, helping me make sense of many of my past struggles with racing thoughts, overwhelm, relationships, emotional dysregulation, self-esteem and the deep frustration of feeling ‘different’ without knowing why. It has also deepened my empathy for others who live with neurodivergence and the challenges it can bring, and how vital it is to feel truly understood. I know that we are not ‘broken’ or need fixing.
Today, I work with adults experiencing anxiety, loss, low self-worth, trauma, chronic health challenges and the emotional impact of neurodivergence, both face-to-face in my therapy studio in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, and across the UK online. My past no longer defines me; it inspires me to create a safe, supportive space where others can find understanding, growth and renewed hope.
"A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it is built for" - Albert Einstein
Clare Annand, Dip.Couns., BSc (Hons)
Integrative Counsellor & Owner
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
The following are just some of the difficulties that I can help with and that respond really well to counselling. Whatever is troubling you, please do get in touch and together we can find a solution.
Feeling low, sad or depressed can make you feel tired, lack confidence, feel angry or frustrated or hopeless, and lose interest in activities. You may constantly feel on the verge of tears, but wear a mask for others.
It may be caused by childhood experiences, neurodivergence, ill health, major life changes or distressing events.
You may be grieving the loss of anything - a person, pet, yours or a loved one's health, your youth, job/career, relationship, friendship or financial security. Grief has no time limit and is a personal journey.
Bereavement and loss can cause unexpected thoughts and emotions, and most affect the future you thought you'd be having.
Low self-confidence, self-worth and self-esteem often come from past trauma/abuse, negative experiences, and bigotry. These can make you feel shame, inadequate or worthless, become a people-pleaser, be self-critical, fear failure and avoid challenges. This can be caused by childhood experiences or by current situations and relationships.
Being or feeling overwhelmed feels like your mind is overloaded, making it hard to concentrate, make decisions and complete tasks. You may be feeling anxious, under pressure, irritable with others, and feeling dread, leading to a sense of being unable to cope or control your situation. Overwhelm can cause anxiety and depression.
Are you finding someone difficult to communicate with or be around? Maybe a partner, work colleague, boss, family member, friend or neighbour? You may be looking for solutions to improve communication, or empower yourself to handle conflict better or to walk away from a person or situation if you feel it may be damaging to your wellbeing.
You may feeling anxious some or all of the time, and/or experience intense feelings of fear or overwhelming panic in certain situations. You many not even know why this is happening. This can seriously impact on your daily life, sleep and physical health, and can result in avoidance behaviours and unsustainable coping mechanisms like alcohol.
Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks can feel distressing, confusing and at times terrifying. They often arrive suddenly - unwanted images, memories or ideas that seem to take over your mind without your control. They are linked to anxiety or obsessive thinking; or stem from past trauma or painful experiences that the mind is still trying to process.
At times, life can leave you questioning faith, spirituality or what gives it meaning. You might feel lost, disconnected or unsure what feels authentic. Yet within that uncertainty lies an opportunity for gentle reflection, self-discovery and growth to reconnect with your values, uncover what truly matters, and find a renewed sense of purpose, hope and clarity.
You may be living with health issues yourself or caring for someone, or maybe just struggling seeing someone you care about suffering. Health issues, whether acute, chronic or life limiting, can have a huge emotional impact and lead to anxiety, fear, depression and frustration, and you may need help navigating the life change and ongoing impact.
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