About Me

Hi, I'm Clare

I'm Clare Kiernan, an accredited counsellor with over 25 years' experience supporting individuals, families and couples through difficult and often overwhelming times in their lives.

Clare Kiernan, accredited counsellor and owner of Essex Therapy

I understand that reaching out for therapy isn't always easy. You might not have the right words yet — only a sense that something doesn't feel right, or that things have become difficult to manage on your own. That's okay.

How I work

I offer a warm, calm and non-judgemental space where you can begin to talk openly and feel genuinely heard. My approach is flexible and tailored to you. This means:

We work at a pace that feels comfortable
You're not expected to have everything figured out
We focus on what feels most important to you

Whether you're feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or struggling in your relationships, we can begin to make sense of things together.

What I can help with

Support for a range of difficulties

I support people with a range of difficulties, including:

Anxiety & overthinking

Finding calmer, steadier ground when your mind feels busy or overwhelmed.

Relationship challenges & emotional disconnection

Making sense of distance and difficulty, and rebuilding understanding and closeness.

Loss of confidence or feeling stuck

Rediscovering self-belief and a sense of direction.

Stress, overwhelm or life changes

Support through demanding periods and transitions in life.

I also work with families and couples who feel distant from one another and want to rebuild communication, understanding, and closeness.

My approach to therapy

Safe, supported and understood

I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches, but what matters most is creating a space where you feel safe, supported, and understood.

Therapy with me is not about judgement or pressure — it's about helping you explore your thoughts and feelings in a way that brings clarity, relief, and change over time.

"Clare offered a warm welcome and very quickly I felt safe, calm and accepted for who I was. My biggest regret is I wished I did this years ago."

— Jack's Journey

Experience & background

Over 25 years of working with people through difficult times

I have worked with individuals, couples and families in a wide range of settings, including community services, the Prison Service, Essex County Council and private practice. That breadth means I am comfortable supporting people with complex, painful or long-standing difficulties, as well as those who simply feel overwhelmed and want to feel like themselves again.

As well as counselling, I am a qualified clinical supervisor and I have taught and supported future counsellors. This keeps my own practice reflective, ethical and up to date.

Over 25 years' counselling experience
BACP accredited counsellor
Qualified clinical supervisor
Experience in the Prison Service and Essex County Council
Work with complex families, addiction and trauma
Experience supporting children, young people and families
Teaching and supporting trainee counsellors

My story

From the prison wing to the counselling room

For three years, five days a week, I worked alongside men of all ages at HMP Chelmsford, developing a counselling service and supporting people to understand the consequences of drug and alcohol misuse. What surprised me most was how much these men taught me.

Read my story

Areas of work