Dr Claire Millward

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Claire Millward is a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has worked in NHS services since January 1999. She also has experience in private practice.

Claire supports children, young people, adults and families of all genders who are experiencing emotional, psychological, behavioural or relationship difficulties.

People may seek Claire’s support when anxiety, distress or difficult experiences begin to affect everyday life, including home, school, work, relationships or confidence. Sometimes people already understand what they need help with. At other times, an individual or family may simply feel that something is not right and want help making sense of what is happening.

Claire has extensive experience supporting people with:

• Anxiety, fears and excessive worry
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Low mood and depression
• Trauma and difficult life experiences
• Low self-esteem and high levels of self-criticism
• Sleep difficulties
• Emotional overwhelm and difficulties managing strong feelings
• Relationship and family difficulties
• Tics and tic-related difficulties
• Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
• Understanding and adjusting to a neurodevelopmental diagnosis or condition

Autism and neurodivergence

Claire has specialist expertise in autism and neurodevelopmental assessment. She works with children, young people and adults.

Claire understands that autism does not look the same in every person. Some people show recognisable autistic characteristics from an early age. Others may work very hard to fit in, hide their difficulties or appear to cope well outwardly, despite feeling anxious, exhausted or overwhelmed. This is sometimes described as masking.

Claire has particular experience recognising less obvious or masked autistic presentations, including those that may sometimes be overlooked in girls and women. This specialist knowledge forms part of a broader, inclusive approach that considers each person’s development, experiences, strengths and difficulties without relying on assumptions or stereotypes.

Claire also has extensive experience providing psychological therapy for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people who experience additional difficulties such as anxiety, OCD, low mood, trauma or emotional overwhelm.

She can support individuals and families in understanding what a neurodevelopmental diagnosis means for them, recognising strengths and needs, and identifying practical adjustments that may improve everyday life.

Claire’s approach

At the heart of Claire’s work is the belief that every person has a unique story.

She takes time to understand not only the immediate difficulties, but also the person’s relationships, circumstances, experiences, values and strengths. This allows Claire and the individual or family to develop a shared understanding of what may be contributing to the difficulties and what could help.

Claire aims to create a warm, safe and non-judgemental space where people feel listened to, respected and understood. She recognises that seeking psychological support can feel daunting and works at a pace that feels comfortable and manageable.

Her approach is collaborative. Claire brings her psychological knowledge and experience, while the individual or family brings their understanding of their own life. Together, they identify practical and achievable ways forward.

Claire does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. She adapts her communication and therapeutic work to each person’s age, needs, communication style, circumstances and goals.

Therapeutic approaches

Claire draws on a range of established psychological approaches, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which explores the connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviour
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people respond differently to difficult thoughts and feelings while moving towards what matters to them
• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), which can help reduce shame and self-criticism and encourage a kinder relationship with oneself
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), which can help people process traumatic or distressing experiences
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), particularly when supporting people with OCD
• Individually tailored behavioural and psychological approaches for tics, trichotillomania and repetitive behaviours
• Other trauma-informed approaches selected according to the needs of the individual or family

Claire’s aim is to help people develop greater self-understanding and self-compassion, recognise their strengths, build confidence and find practical ways of managing life’s challenges.