- Anxiety support
- LGBTQ+ related issues
- Confidence building
About Clara
Clara Luxford is a PACFA counsellor with 14 years of professional experience. She works with people who find stress and anxiety hard to manage, and with those facing LGBTQ+ related concerns, trauma and problems with self-esteem. Clara focuses on helping people build confidence and motivation so they can take practical steps forward.
Clara treats each person as the expert on their own life. She listens for strengths and practical options that fit day-to-day life. Sessions are straightforward and aim to turn worrying thoughts into manageable actions. Many clients start with small goals and steady progress rather than big sudden changes.
Her background includes many years working with anxiety, depression and relationship strain. She also sees people dealing with grief, addiction, sleeping or eating difficulties, parenting pressures and career stress. Additional focus areas include adoption and foster care, body image, family of origin issues and gender dysphoria.
In sessions Clara talks through specific problems, practises skills together and helps people plan achievable next steps. She keeps language plain and practical so tasks are clear. Where needed she helps identify patterns that keep problems going and suggests ways to interrupt them.
People who find being watched or speaking up difficult often start with a clear small goal. Clara supports that kind of paced approach and helps people notice small wins. To begin, she asks a few simple questions to match priorities and make the first session useful.
Therapeutic techniques and online sessions
Many people with social anxiety or strong worry find practical techniques useful. Cognitive approaches help identify unhelpful thoughts and test them against real situations, which can reduce anxious predicting. Behavioural techniques focus on gradual steps - small exposures to feared situations that build confidence over time. These approaches are commonly used to tackle social fears, low confidence and avoidance.Choosing the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist works collaboratively with the client to decide which methods suit their goals and daily life. This means starting small, reviewing what helps, and adjusting the plan as needed so it fits each person's pace and preferences.
Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make sessions easier to fit into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let someone practise skills in settings close to where they feel anxious, while still working with an appropriately qualified counsellor to plan each step.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma, depression and a range of life challenges such as relationship strain, grief, addictions and parenting pressures.
What is her style in sessions?
Sessions are practical and plain-spoken, focusing on small, manageable steps and skill practice rather than abstract theory.
How much experience does she have?
Clara has 14 years of professional experience working with anxiety, self-esteem and related concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and practises in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions charged?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.