Testimonials
"Some years ago my late wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and as we talked about what it would mean and how we would cope with it, she suggested, quite insistently, that I should have a therapist to talk to, to help me through what was obviously going to be a very difficult and upsetting time. At first I was reluctant, but I made an initial appointment to see Claire Spooner and discuss it. There was something about the mixture of care, understanding and detachment in her approach that gave me the confidence to continue, and I came to value our weekly sessions very much indeed. It didn’t matter whether I came feeling angry or miserable or cheery or fretful, I found talking led to more talking, and always to a greater understanding of myself and my world. Claire, I realised, was very adept at encouraging our conversation down productive paths, never judgmental, able to press me to think harder sometimes, to follow my thoughts into a degree of self-realisation that I found illuminating and extremely helpful. So much so, in fact, that when I reluctantly decided to end our sessions, after three and a half years, I found that though I missed them and the space of calm reflection and (not always so calm) self-examination they offered, I was left with a new kind of inner resource, a sort of inner Claire-voice. It’s still working for me, and I shall always be grateful for it."
IP
"Working with Claire was my first experience with therapy. I have to say that making the decision to try therapy was not an easy one and I remember being very apprehensive at the thought of first meeting a therapist. I came across Claire’s profile by chance and I am so incredibly grateful that I trusted my gut feeling and contacted her. I worked with Claire for a total of about four years, and I can honestly say that she is one of the warmest and most gentle people I have ever met. She made me feel safe and accepted and heard in a way I had never experienced before. I believe that what I was able to accomplish with her help and support was some of the most important work I will do in my life, and I don’t believe I could have chosen a better person with whom to embark on such a difficult but ultimately incredibly rewarding journey. She has my heartfelt thanks and eternal gratitude."
AR
"Claire and I worked together for just ten sessions and still (six years later) I think back to the things we talked about and how valuable that time was. I was looking for a therapist for the first time after going through a messy breakup, and found Claire so easy to talk to it was like going to see friend. We started with the relationship but soon moved on to much more interesting and positive things - talking about my career, family, how I see myself, and how I relate to others more broadly. Claire challenged my thinking in a really gentle way, and the body work we did is something I still talk to friends about today. It was fascinating, and made me aware of how self compassion could lead to a healthier outlook on my life. Some months after our sessions my dad passed away from a long-term illness, but because of the work we’d done I was so much better prepared in supporting my family and in processing things myself. Our conversations charged me up creatively too - my work as a designer really developed afterwards because of the confidence I gained. I’ll always be grateful to have had the chance to work with Claire, and for my first experience of therapy to have been such a positive one."
AB
"You have been one of the great teachers of my life."
MC
"I was at my lowest point when I decided to seek therapy with Claire. Our sessions covered several aspects of my life: relocating to a new country; struggling with dysfunctional family relationships; managing conflict in my marriage and at work; dealing with the pain of social rejection and feelings of low self-esteem. With no support system in place, I confided in Claire, who listened with kindness, understanding, and empathy. Despite moving our sessions online due to the pandemic, I continued to reap the benefits. Claire and I only met a handful of times, but the transformative impact of her therapeutic practice has been life-changing."
MA
Holistic Life Review
"The Holistic Life Review course was a truly enriching experience that surpassed my expectations on many levels. The weekly sessions quickly became the highlight of my week, offering a space for meaningful reflection and exploration in the company of like-minded individuals. Claire skilfully guided us through a series of exercises that encouraged deep introspection and dialogue, leading to moments of profound insight and growth.
I gained invaluable clarity about what truly matters to me in life and discovered newfound momentum towards aligning my actions with my values and aspirations. The course provided a roadmap for navigating life's transitions and challenges with grace and purpose.
One aspect that particularly stood out to me was the diverse mix of ages among participants, which brought a rich tapestry of perspectives and life experiences to our discussions. This diversity not only broadened my own understanding but also fostered a strong sense of community and connection throughout the course. I can't recommend the Holistic Life Review course highly enough to anyone seeking a supportive community, profound self-discovery, and tangible steps towards a more fulfilling life journey."
Olivia, London, UK
"I am thrilled with the treasures I've uncovered in myself following Claire's Holistic Life Review, and the new goals it has prompted me to set. Over four weeks', my attention was drawn to what pleases me, soothes me, and makes my heart sing. I live in the U.S., with a 6-hour difference in time zones. The digital format allowed me to participate with the group, fit the sessions into an early morning routine, and when, some weeks, I could not attend a complete session, catch-up with the recording later in the week.
I consider myself a "gentle Alpha-type". I am a business executive and a single mother. I care deeply about, and take actions toward, heart-centered exploration and healing, but my ambitions can shut me off from my heart. This reflective month of sessions softened me and connected me with a loving group of people willing to be vulnerable and invite my vulnerability."
Amelia, CEO of WholeTrees Structures, Wisconsin, USA
"Thank you for amazing sessions over the last month, it has been really thought provoking and a lot to take in (in a good way). You were amazing at facilitation and explaining complex ideas very simply so we could put them into action. Thank you so much!"
Caroline, Cambridge, UK
"I just wanted to thank you again for the fabulous course. I thought you framed the exercises really well, and I enjoyed the flow of the sessions, which struck a good balance between time in the wider group and smaller group time. In deciding to join, I had a few misgivings about meeting online, but it worked well and I am so pleased I followed my instincts and said yes!"
Katharine, Adelaide, Australia
"The Holistic Life Review course achieved what I wanted in unexpected and creative ways. The course is carefully designed, it works well as a whole. The course being on Zoom in no way took away from an interpersonal dynamic. It allowed a huge variety of people to come who couldn’t have, had it been in-person.
The question ‘what do you want out of life’ was not approached directly but through imaginative, focussed but open-ended exercises which were then shared (as much or as little as we wanted to) in small break-out rooms. As someone with an aversion to break-out rooms I was surprised how wonderful they were. Claire was well able to listen, to support, and to not judge when participants shared. The breakout rooms took that example forward and they were safe spaces to share in."
Patricia, Cambridge, UK
"Well organised, well-structured and professional. Loads of interesting, helpful content and I am grateful you provided a summary after each weekly session. I enjoyed the breakout groups - a great bunch of people!"
Kim, London, UK
"Anyone in the world of entrepreneurship and business would benefit immensely from The Holistic Life Review. It helped me re-evaluate the orientation of my business and find the "true north" for my venture. In an entrepreneurial journey, it is easy to make choices under pressure that are not aligned with your values or lived experiences. Claire's course helps one to take a step back, and ask "What do I really want out of this? Why am I doing this?" and move forward with clarity and confidence."
Piyush Ahuja, Founder: Cambridge Innovation Labs, Cambridge, UKAR
"Claire was a really brilliant leader and facilitator, and held the group and individuals incredibly well. This generated a strong sense of possibility and of safety, in both breakout rooms and whole group work, and struck me as quite remarkable. The course was designed carefully to build and develop over the weeks, so that each exercise yielded its own insights while contributing to a broader and longer-term programme of reflection and development: I found it immensely generative."
David, Cambridge, UK
"This course takes you on a carefully paced journey beneath the surface of what you think you know about your life. Through considered exercises and key prompts, you find yourself compassionately examining the neglected areas and the blocks you have unwittingly constructed to your own growth and fulfilment.
One of the most powerful components of this for me was the role of the group. Claire fostered a really supportive environment, in which the usual dread of breakout rooms was dispelled and those spaces were some of the most rich and fruitful. This happened in both the witnessing of other peoples' reflections (which so often mirrored my own) and of being given time to feel safe to share as much or as little of what was coming up for me.
I am left feeling affirmed and boosted. I am making changes, and being kind to myself in the process. I have met some wonderful people who I wouldn't normally cross paths with. Each session was as valuable as a therapy session. I can't recommend this course highly enough."
Rosa, Cornwall, UK
"The course exceeded my expectations. You get a lot of bang for your buck. It felt like much more than 12 hours of training, as spread over the four weeks it felt like we had you guide us the whole time. Given what I have spent on other (completely different) training courses this is excellent value.
It's left me with a valuable toolkit for so many life skills which I, my family, my colleagues and my friends will benefit from. I feel grateful to have been on the first cohort and wish for many others to hear Claire’s wise words."
Catherine, Scottish Highlands, UK
"I found the Holistic Life Review incredibly helpful, and I'm reflecting on it and using the exercises a lot, and drawing so much clarity from it. Everything felt so well-paced, wise and kind. Thank you very, very much!"
Marion, Cambridge, UK
"I joined the Holistic Life review to do some personal stock-taking and to get to grips with the reasons I kept getting stuck with the book I was writing. I found the course very helpful, at times illuminating.
It has left me better able to cope with my task, better able to think about myself, and generally feeling happier and more positive about all sorts of things. It was also, simply, very enjoyable as well as constructively challenging."
Ian, Suffolk, UK
"The course was great for me as it was very well held, fast paced, highly structured and focused. I really appreciated the openness of the group; but that was because of your safe holding combined with vulnerability. I think the fact that everyone stayed the course is proof of how good it was."
Lisa, Somerset, UK
Shape the Practice You Want
"What an amazingly powerful workshop. Just one day, yet just 3 weeks on I have already made key changes both to my practice and to how I take care of myself with professional support. I feel really grateful for the well planned, well led and enjoyable day."
Florence, London, UK
"Thank you so much for designing such a helpful and rewarding course. It was a wonderful experience and has opened up new possibilities."
Jade, London, UK
"Six of the most useful hours of CPD I have ever done. It has transformed my practice and my sense of myself as a therapist, boosted my client numbers and what I can charge."
Karen, Cardiff, UK
"I came away with greater clarity about what I want for myself in my practice and practical steps that I can take to make this happen. This would be hugely valuable to any therapist wanting to take a step back and really reflect on how they can make their practice work for them."
Katie, Cambridge, UK
Working Outdoors
"Having sessions outside began – for me at least – as a pragmatic response to the Covid pandemic: an opportunity to meet in person rather than on screen. However, it was clear as soon as we started that Claire had been thinking about it for some time as having its own set of possibilities, and I have found it to be profoundly significant and revealing as a practice. There is something about it – perhaps the rhythms of walking and speaking; the sense of openness and landscape; being mainly alongside one another rather than face-to-face; and even the changing weather – which generates a very embodied kind of reflection and insight. It also feels like a natural extension of Claire’s approach, which always pays deep attention to the felt nature of thoughts and experiences. I was concerned at first about the challenges: what about being overheard, or being upset in public? Claire addressed these with typical care and thoughtfulness, however, and they have not proved to be problematic or inhibiting at all. This move to therapy in the open air has been and continues to be of immense and particular value to me, yielding understanding and offering resources for hope even when things have felt dark. I am so grateful to Claire for suggesting it."
DC