Who Am I?
My name is Clare Scudds and I am based in North Tonbridge, in Kent, in the lovely South East of England.
I am an ex-youth worker, although I still dabble in my spare time, and am a qualified counsellor and supervisor. I am married and a mum to three amazing humans. I enjoy music, reading and puzzle solving, and I’m really interested in people and how they tick. I am a committed Christian and am happy to work with issues of faith and spirituality if clients want to.
I balance gentleness and challenge, compassion and momentum, and am deeply passionate about my work. I love working in a collaborative way with both clients and supervisees, partnering in the sessions to understand the challenges and joys they’re facing.
As a counsellor, I offer space for clients to explore their present troubles, how their past may have impacted them and how they want to change for the future. I take time getting to know each client so I can help and support them in the best way possible. Because my training was integrative (included different counselling models, techniques and approaches) I can tailor my approach to each individual client.
As a supervisor, I love to support my supervisees in offering their best to their clients or the people they are supporting while looking after their own needs too.
The Technical Stuff
My core counsellor training was at Waverley Abbey, Surrey, with CWR. There I completed my Introduction to Biblical Counselling (2004), Certificate in Christian Counselling (2006), Diploma in Christian Counselling (2008) and Advanced Diploma in Christian Counselling (2011). In 2020, I gained a Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling with Counselling Tutor. In 2022, I completed my Level 5 Certificate in Counselling Young People through The Mindspace Foundation. I also attend CPD (Continued Professional Development) training with a variety of training organisations each year.
As a member of the Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions (ACC) (Mem ACC) and an accredited member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) (MNCPS (Acc.)) I abide by the ethical frameworks set out by these professional bodies. I am also on the Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register of both these professional bodies and the NCPS’s Children and Young People’s Therapist (CYPT) Accredited Register.
I have professional liability insurance, an enhanced DBS check and regularly refresh my training in safeguarding adults and children. I am based in the UK and only offer counselling to clients within the UK, under the laws and jurisdiction of England and Wales.
My Experience
I have been seeing clients in person since early 2008. In 2020, I opened up my practice to people throughout the UK via online and telephone counselling. I have worked in counselling charities and private companies alongside BCS Counselling, my own private practice.
I have counselled a large variety of individual adults and young people with different issues, as well as working with couples in relationship counselling. I often work with people troubled by low self-confidence, anxiety, people-pleasing behaviour, challenging relationships, shame and difficult childhood experiences. However, I have helped and supported teens, adults and couples with a wide range of concerns to find healing and freedom and a new lease of life.
I have training and experience working with faith and spiritual elements within counselling and am happy to discuss and work with issues around faith and spirituality if clients wish to include this. I work with people of any or no faith without discriminating, proselytising or imposing my personal beliefs.
