The first session is primarily a conversation. Claire will take time to understand what has brought you to therapy, your history and current circumstances, and what you are hoping to get from the process. It is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of whether working with Claire feels like the right fit. There is no pressure to share more than you are comfortable with in a first session — the pace is always set collaboratively. 

At the end of the first session, Claire will share her initial impressions and you will discuss together what a useful course of therapy might look like, including how often to meet and what areas to focus on. 

This varies considerably depending on the person and the nature of the work. Some people find that a focused course of eight to twelve sessions addresses what they came for. Others are working with more complex or longstanding concerns that benefit from longer term support. Claire will discuss this with you openly from the outset and will revisit it with you as the work progresses — the goal is always to work toward a point where ongoing therapy is no longer needed, rather than to extend it unnecessarily. 

Most people begin with fortnightly sessions, particularly in the early stages of therapy when momentum and consistency are helpful. As the work progresses, sessions may move to monthly depending on what is most useful. For eating disorder treatment, sessions may be weekly in the first stage before moving to fortnightly and then monthly as needed. The frequency of sessions is always discussed and agreed collaboratively. 

Claire draws on a wide range of evidence-based approaches and tailors her methods to each individual rather than applying a single framework. Her training includes CBT, ACT, DBT, Schema Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, and a range of approaches for eating disorders, perinatal mental health, and trauma. You can read more about her training and experience on the About Claire and Areas of Expertise pages. 

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. What you share in sessions remains confidential, with three exceptions: if there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else, if you disclose abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable person, or if records are subpoenaed by a court. Claire will discuss confidentiality and its limits with you in your first session and in the consent documentation you will receive before beginning. 

Talking about how therapy is going is always encouraged and is part of the work. If something is not feeling useful, or if you feel uncertain about the direction of the work, Claire would always rather know. Feedback — including critical feedback — is genuinely welcomed, and adjusting the approach in response to it is a normal and healthy part of the therapeutic process. If at any point you feel that a different clinician or approach might serve you better, Claire will support you in finding that. 

Yes. Imrama Psychology offers both telehealth and face to face sessions. Many clients find telehealth a convenient and equally effective option, and it is particularly valuable for those in regional or rural Western Australia or with other barriers to attending in person. Some presentations and some stages of therapy lend themselves more naturally to one format or the other, and this is something Claire is happy to discuss with you. 

A reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a private space where you feel comfortable talking. Claire uses Zoom through the practice management platform Zanda, which is secure and does not require you to download any software. A link will be sent to you before each session. Existing clients can also access the telehealth link through the client portal.

A growing body of research supports telehealth as an effective format for many presentations. Most people find they adapt quickly and that the therapeutic relationship develops just as naturally online as it does in person. If you have any concerns about whether telehealth is the right format for you, Claire is happy to discuss this before your first appointment. 

Yes. Ambivalence about change is a completely normal part of the experience of an eating disorder, and you do not need to arrive at therapy feeling ready or motivated before reaching out. Claire is experienced in working with ambivalence and in supporting people to explore their relationship with recovery at their own pace. Reaching out is itself a meaningful step. 

Yes, and you are not alone in feeling that way. The perinatal period can bring an enormous range of emotions, including ones that feel difficult to admit to. Claire works with individuals and couples navigating all aspects of perinatal mental health, and brings both clinical experience and personal understanding to this work. You do not need a formal diagnosis to seek support during this time. 

Yes. Claire works with people who have a formal diagnosis as well as those who are exploring the possibility of a neurodivergent profile. A formal diagnosis is not required to begin therapeutic work around neurodivergent experience and its impacts. Please note that Imrama Psychology does not conduct formal neurodevelopmental assessments — if you are seeking a diagnostic assessment, Claire can discuss appropriate referral pathways with you. 

Yes. Claire offers couples counselling both as a standalone support and where relationship difficulties intersect with other presentations such as eating disorders, perinatal adjustment, or identity transitions. Both partners do not need to be experiencing a diagnosable mental health concern, relationship strain, communication difficulties, and life stage transitions are all valid reasons to seek support together. 

Yes, please do. The areas listed on this website reflect Claire's primary areas of experience and training, but they are not an exhaustive list of what she works with. If you are unsure whether your concern is within scope, the best approach is simply to reach out and have a conversation. If Imrama Psychology is not the right fit, Claire will do her best to point you toward someone who is.