Dr Claire Parkes
Consultant chartered clinical psychologist
Conditions treated
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Depression
- Interpersonal difficulties
- Mood disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Phobias
- Suicidal thoughts
- Stress
Treatment approaches
- Clinical psychology
- Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Counselling
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Well-being therapies
Languages spoken
- English
Professional qualifications, accreditations and memberships
- Qualified Clinical Psychologist
- Associate Fellow of The British Psychological Society
- Member of the Division of Clinical Psychology
- Member of Health Care Professionals Council
Professional experience
Dr Claire Parkes is an experienced Chartered Clinical Psychologist with expertise in adult mental health, specialising in recent-onset and longer-term mental health needs. Claire has worked at Nightingale Hospital for over 15 years, specialising in anxiety disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, burn-out, low self-esteem and self-confidence and post-natal depression.
In addition to her work at Nightingale Hospital, Claire has worked as a consultant clinical psychologist in another medical centre in Harley Street.
She has also held senior posts within the NHS, such as Lead Clinical Psychologist for the community mental health team (CMHT) at The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. She also supported inpatients within the Camden and Islington NHS Trust. and has worked in a secure unit based in Yorkshire for patients struggling with addiction.
Claire also worked as the Lead Clinical Psychologist at London Underground, where she specialised in the assessment and treatment of staff with PTSD.
She has been delivering telepsychology since 2016 and is able to offer remote consultations via video-conferencing to clients both in the UK and abroad. She is also able to work with solicitors in the fields of personal injury and medical negligence.
Personal statement
Claire provides full, accurate assessments, clear formulations and tailored therapy packages, designed to fit each individual client’s needs. Claire listens carefully to the patient, understanding how and why their condition has developed and this is essential to her approach. Following a thorough assessment, a careful formulation is drawn up and discussed with the client before a treatment plan is agreed. The treatment plan is specific for each client, drawing on a multi-theoretical approach.
Claire’s special interests are schema-based psychotherapy, CBT and mindfulness. Claire augments the therapeutic approach by offering training in resilience, positive psychology and wellness.
Claire treats clients with anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, post-natal depression, parenting issues, low self-esteem, confidence issues and issues with identity. Her special interests are trauma and cross-cultural issues. Claire has a particular interest in identity and third culture.
Claire’s approach is collaborative, person-centred, schema-based, CBT with a focus on integration and wellness.
Courses of treatment tend to last between 12-30 sessions. 98% of clients report a strong improvement in their symptoms by the end of treatment.
Feedback from previous clients includes: “Easy to relate to” “Warm, Kind”, “Engaging”, “Very good listener”, “Understanding”, “Dedicated to getting a positive outcome for me” “Inspiring.”
Additional information about research, publications and interests
Claire’s research interests have included: PTSD, identity, third culture, addictions, telepsychology.
