About Claire Ballardie

 

Hi. I guess you would like to know more about me, Claire Ballardie.

I am a qualified psychotherapist, (BA Hons) and am registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.  

My venture into the world of psychotherapy evolved from over forty years as a riding coach, I was aware of the impact of life events on the dynamic between human and horse, both from my own experience, and that of my clients. I knew a lot about the psychology of horses,  but not so much on how our own ‘stuff’ can impact on our lives, which led to  a second career as a counsellor.

Living in a rural community, many of my clients have pets, or work with animals, or outdoors. I understand the difficulties of lone working in the equestrian industry, and in agriculture, with the hard graft keeping going in bad weather, or when life gets tough.

Horses are still a huge part of my life, and play their part in my private practice, where I offer psychotherapy and supervision. I work with adults on a one-to-one basis, both face-to-face and on zoom, specialising in trauma and grief.

Counselling supports other areas of my work: I am also a Reiki Master, and Exercise Professional, and a British Horse Society Registered Equestrian Coach.

My Qualifications & Experience:

Continuing Professional Development

  • Trauma Foundation Certificate  in Traumatic Stress
  • Mindfulness and Meditation Course (Wiltshire College)
  • Anorexia & Bulimia Care (Befriender)
  • Polyvagal Theory in practice with Trauma clients
  • Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling
  • Couples Counselling
  • Suicide
  • LEAP Introduction to Equine Facilitated Therapy/Learning Certificate
  • EGALA Equine Psychotherapy Pre-training webinar

 

Approaches I draw from are:

  • Person-centred
  • Psychosynthesis
  • Gesthalt
  • Transpersonal
  • Psychodynamic
  • CBT

Healing runs in my family, and I was drawn to the path of helping others by my paternal grandmother.  Her ‘healing hands’ were a mystery to me as a child, but as a  Reiki Master I now understand the effect of balancing the body’s energy and promoting self-healing. I am a  Member of the UK Reiki Federation.

 

 

 I am a British Horse Society  Accredited Coach with many years experience training riders and horses in the art of Classical Riding. I am an author of several equestrian books  as Claire Lilley.

 

 

 

 

 

movement for the mind
FLexercise

As a Fitness League Teacher  I offer Movement for the Mind sessions  as well as my Flexercise anytime with Claire videos.