Who We Are

You Are Important is a counselling service based in Eastbourne and Seaford, East Sussex. The service is provided by Claire Duursma, a qualified,  experienced and accredited counsellor, who has been practicing since May 2010. Claire is a registered and accredited member of BACP.

Claire is passionate about assisting people who are struggling with issues that hold them back in life. Claire has helped many people who were struggling with issues such as complex bereavement, low self esteem, depression, trauma, sexual abuse, anger, anxiety, body image, emotional abuse, stress, and more.

Claire can help people explore their feelings, struggles and relationships, and she can help them challenge inner beliefs.

The initial meeting of twenty minutes is provided free of charge. During this meeting the client is able to discuss their present issues. This will allow the client and the counsellor to decide whether they can work together or not. If so, Claire will propose a starting point, in terms of number of sessions, cost, etc.

Do you Need Help?

If you have an issue that is holding you back and you think Claire may be able to help - why not get in touch?

Claire has the following qualifications:

• Registration Certificate (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
• Certificate of Accreditation (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
• Diploma of Higher Education in Integrative Counselling (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
• Introductory Certificate in Trauma Therapy (Adults & Children)
• Transactional Analysis 101 (Insitute of Transactional Analysis)
• Awareness in Bereavement Care - The Cruse Foundation Course (Ascentis National Awarding Body)
• Certificate in Counselling Skills Level 1, 2 and 3 in Person Centred Therapy (National Open College Network)

Claire has also done some CPD workshops on:

Anger, Creativity, Imagery & Dreamwork, Stress, Assertiveness, Working Therapeutically with Dissociation, Domestic Abuse, Suicide Prevention, Childrens & Young People`s Mental Health. Resilience & The Biology of Stress in Children & Young People. Transforming Childrens Mental Health.  SFA Suicide First Aid. Adult Mental Health First Aid two day course with MHFA England, Safeguarding with Children.

Counselling Experience:

• Cruse Bereavement Counsellor - 2010 - 2013
• Counsellor at Shaftesbury Centre - 2012 - 2013 
• Assist Trauma Care Homicide Trauma Therapist - 2014
• Counsellor at Counselling Plus Community - 2012 - 2018 (16+)
• Counsellor at CGL Star Drug and Alcohol Recovery - with Specialist Training - 2019
• Children & Young Peoples Counsellor at Fegans - 2019
• Adult & Domestic Violence Counsellor at SCDA 2024

Claire works within the BACP Ethical Framework concerning confidentiality and good practice.