Hannah’s story

“I had looked for counseling services before but never found the right fit.  It was exhausting trying to open up myself up again and again to a counselor who wasn’t providing me what I needed.  I wasn’t looking to fix my marriage; I was looking for a way to move on in a healthy way and think of my life now in a forward-moving direction.  I found Claire’s website and instantly thought that this was finally what I was looking for - someone to build me up, focus on my new life ahead, and strengthen my resolve that I could get through this next stage. 

Because I live in the United States, I didn’t even know if Claire would work with me based on a time zone but that was easily sorted.  I also felt an incredibly calmness in the anonymity I felt having a coach on the other side of the world, and not someone I would run into in my community.  

I was existing... but not living.  I openly said to Claire that I could probably get through this and keep living in my mediocre state of happiness, as I was used to pushing through things. 

I felt that if I truly committed to this, both financially and time-wise, I would be giving myself the best self-care method I could.  Unlike other situations I’ve moved through in my life, I knew a divorce was a massive shift and I honestly questioned my ability to do this all alone.  If I did, I would probably always be living with residual and unresolved feelings.  I just wanted to process this in such a way that I could be truly happy again.  I also wanted an outside source, away from my family and friend group, that I could share privately with. 

I had such a mixture of emotions - I did not think I could get to a state of being happy in such an unfiltered, joyous way again.  I knew I would be ok but doubted if I could feel that level of joy without guilt.  I wanted to.... but hadn’t felt joy in that capacity in so long that it felt intangible.  

Claire was incredible and spot-on with how to help me.  I appreciated immensely the amount of time between sessions - as each session left me with massive amounts of ideas and things to process..... ‘homework’ on how to think and cultivate what we had just talked about.  Unlike regular counseling sessions I was used to a therapist wanting to meet once a week or frequently, I needed this time and space in between her sessions to really grow and process. 

Because of that, I had this overwhelming arc of moving through this divorce over the course of many months with Claire.  I could literally see the growth I made, too, and it was exciting to be a witness in my own process.  She used techniques that sometimes put me out of my organized comfort-zone.... I was allowed the freedom to do visualizations, and to create picture in my head of the way I was describing how I was feeling.  

Each session with Claire was pivotal in my process of healing; it truly was.  I would not have wanted to miss any one of those steps.  I also frequently referred back to my notes throughout our months together - something I’ve never done before.  The processes she had me go through were all so tangible.  

To say I had doubts that I would truly come away feeling happy again, let alone wanting to date again (!) seemed absolutely and 100% crazy when I started working with Claire.  I thought that for sure I would be one of those people who wouldn’t ever re-marry or want to date after a divorce.  I had even resolved (sadly), that I would be ok with that. 

Claire brought me back to life.  I feel like she made me feel alive again.  

I was honestly taken aback in our introductory session at the way Claire was spot-on about how I was feeling.  Sometimes I have trouble putting my feelings into tangible words, and Claire was effortlessly able to pin-point bits about me as I shared what felt like were fragmented emotions with her....

Being able to identify and imagine what it might be like to build a better outlook, life, and emotional foundation after my divorce just felt like it would be paradise and out of reach... but as I worked with Claire, it no longer seemed impossible.  It seemed like for the first time I was able to work on myself in a real way.  She was also patient with me.  If I had trouble finding words to describe how I felt, I did not feel a sense of urgency from her.  It was relaxed and comfortable.  Usually by the time I even glanced at my clock, we only had minutes remaining.  Our sessions flowed so well.  

I’d also wholeheartedly recommend Claire to those outside the country, too.  Our zoom sessions and time zone were never issues.  Claire’s specialty is truly one that was hard to find otherwise in a professional - I didn’t need traditional counseling and someone making me rehash every bit of my marriage and divorce - I needed someone to propel me forward. 

Claire focused on ME; not my ex.  If there was a moment where I spent too much time focusing on the ex, Claire brought me back to how I felt and how this pertained to me.... I felt liberated being able to truly work on myself without the distractions of a typical counselor going back through your life’s history and story. ”