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:
- Level 7 Advanced Diploma In Supervision
- BA(Hons) Counselling
- Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (psycho-spiritual model)
- Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Registered Equestrian Coach (British Horse Society)
- Wiltshire Mind (one-to-one counselling)
- Exercise Teacher (Register of Exercise Professionals)
- Reiki Master (UK Reiki Federation)
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.
As a Fitness League Teacher I offer Movement for the Mind sessions as well as my Flexercise anytime with Claire videos.