About Me
Everything you need to know is below!
Intro
I am a qualified psychologist, speaker, trainer and coach, but I am also so much more than the sum of these parts. I started my career as a teacher - I taught 7-year-olds and loved it! But, while I loved teaching, I also loved learning and thus decided to go back to university to study further. This decision eventually led me into the field of psychology.
As well as running my own private practice, I apply my skills as a psychologist in other areas, including training, coaching and speaking. These seemingly diverse areas of work actually link together well and enhance each other – and they are all underpinned by my core belief system as well as the philosophy and principles by which I live my life.
I’ve travelled extensively, having lived and worked in over 30 countries. I have worked as a kids’ ski instructor in the Rocky Mountains; a chambermaid in top hotels in the USA; a teacher in London inner city schools; an usher at Durban’s largest theatre; a lecturer at a private tertiary institution in South Africa and a stewardess on privately-owned luxury yachts in the Mediterranean and Seychelles.
I consider myself a well-rounded individual, having a diverse range of interests and abilities. I am equally at home dressed up in a ball gown and heels as I am in hiking boots, T-shirt and shorts. I can adapt as easily to sleeping on the ground in the African bush as I can to being wined and dined in a 5-star hotel.
I believe passionately in developing people – especially their inter-personal skills and their YOU-Q. You can live the life of your dreams – you just need a clear vision and a strong belief in yourself.
All My Hats
Psychologist
I run a private practice from my home in Durban, South Africa. I offer face-to-face or remote (via Skype) counselling with individuals and couples. I also I consult to companies, offering psycho-educational interventions – including trauma counselling, retrenchment counselling, and grief and bereavement forums.
Speaker
What I have to say comes from a combination of academic research and theory, as well as my life’s experiences - making each talk warm, personal and inspirational. My core message is all about YOU-Q – my unique concept that refers to our own individual intelligence, creativity and wisdom.
Overview | Topics | Tea with Claire | Tailor-made Talks | Book me to Talk
Trainer
Successful people have positive attitudes and good inter-personal skills. These don’t always come naturally, and we can all benefit from a little brain training! I run my own courses for the general public. I also tailor-make and run courses for a number of high-profile corporate clients, and can do the same for your company.
Overview | Courses | Tailor-made Training
Coach
I offer coaching to people who might be uncomfortable with the idea of formal counselling, or who would simply like to improve their life! The ultimate aim of my coaching is to make you feel empowered, valuable, confident, secure and filled with new options.
Hat lover
I have always loved hats, but in the past I never had the courage to wear them. The change came when I was given a beautiful blue velvet hat as a gift for my Mad Hatter’s birthday party. I loved it, and it was then that I decided I was going to wear my hats - regardless of what people thought of me… being authentic is more important than caring what people think! Now I wear hats all the time, and I love it!
It is impossible to tell you how many hats I have because my collection keeps growing. Not only do I buy my own hats when I see one that catches my fancy, but I also have a ‘personal’ hat buyer - Harry - who buys special hats for me from around the world.
When I met Harry he was a tourist in South Africa and I befriended him. He loved my enthusiasm for hats and took it upon himself to add to my collection. Every now and again I get a postcard from him telling me about the most recent hat that he has bought for me. On his last visit to South Africa he brought the hats with him. I can’t wait to see what he brings next!
My Beliefs
Some of my beliefs include:
- We have within us all the creativity and wisdom we need to live the live the life of our dreams - we have YOU-Q!
- All people are born inherently good. Our behaviour becomes negative and destructive because of the circumstances in which we are raised, or which are imposed upon us, and which then becomes our belief system.
- High self-esteem is vital to live the life of our dreams.
- Suffering is inevitable, but even if we cannot change a situation or avoid suffering, we CAN change our own attitude towards that suffering. We can choose how we will deal with that suffering and we can transform a tragedy into a personal triumph. We can turn a predicament into a personal achievement.
- Be passionate and authentic in everything you do.
- Have respect for all people – no matter what their work or socioeconomic status. As human beings we are all equal.
- We are always faced with choices in life – even choosing not to choose is a choice!
- The best life you can have is the one you can have now, so choose to be happy NOW, not when…or if…
- Have courage, and always say yes to opportunities. Let your decisions be governed by wisdom & common sense - not by fear.
- Focus your energy on those things that are lasting, such as health, wisdom and knowledge, and not on those things that time will naturally destroy, such as beauty.
- Life is dynamic not static. Be creative and flexible in your vision and goals - allow them to change as you change.
- Life is abundant – there is enough to go round.
- Only boring people get bored!
My Vision
My vision for myself incorporates a variety of aspects:
- As a Psychologist - To continue my work in my private practice and in the corporate sector.
- As a Speaker - To travel the world on speaking engagements - sharing my message on YOU-Q and finding your Inner Winner.
- As a Trainer - To become an international trainer in Interpersonal and Counselling Skills.
- As a Coach - To work with individuals who want to live the life of their dreams and help them develop their YOU-Q.
- Media - To continue to be regularly published in the media, and be interviewed on radio and TV.
- To be an Author - To write a book... or two!
- As a Traveller - To visit as many countries in the world as possible.
- Tea With Claire - to hold fabulous Tea With Claire events in elegant venues all over the world.
I am a passionate student of life, a keen observer of people and an ardent believer in following my own unique path. I look forward to helping you follow yours.
My Magnetic Attraction
To know my fridge is to know me! Anyone who knows me well, knows my fridge magnets…so I decided it would be fun to include them on my website. You will get to know me personally through my magnets, and the lessons I have learnt on my travels.
It is the lessons I have learnt, and the wisdom I have gained from life, that I bring to bear in my approach to my life and my work. I share some of these with you now.
Enjoy my stories....there are more to come!
View my magnets & life lessons
Qualifications
Diploma & Degrees
- Higher Diploma in Education (HDE) (Edgewood College of Education)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (UND)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology (B.A Hons.) (UND)
- Master of Arts (Psychology) (M.A.) (UND)
Note: The University of Natal, Durban (UND) is currently known as the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN)
Registered Counselling Psychologist
- HPCSA Registration Number: PS 0067180
- Practice Number:0003611
Coaching Qualification
- Career and Executive Coach : UNISA Organisational Development Department
Professionally Qualified Teacher
- Teachers' Federal Council Registration Number: R 124102/5
Membership
Previous membership
- Global Speakers Federation (GSF)
- Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA) (Past President of the KZN Chapter - two terms)
- Toastmasters International
Certificates
Click on thumbnails for larger images.
Higher Diploma in Education (HDE) 
Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) 
Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree (BA Hons) 
Master of Arts Degree (MA Psychology) 
Coaching Certificate 
Certificate of Merit
Junior Primary Studies 
Certificate of Merit
Educational Psychology 
Certificate of Merit
Psychology 1B 
Course Certificate
Presentation Skills 
Course Certificate
Solution Focused Brief Approach 
Course Certificate
Child Trauma Therapy 
HPCSA Certificate of Registration
Counselling Psychology 
PSASA KZN Chapter President's Certificate 
PSASA KZN Chapter President's Certificate
Licensed MTQ practitioner
Course Certificate Transactional Analysis - TA 101
CV / Bio / Images
This is the serious stuff! To view or download my full CV and biography, please click on the relevant link below.
(Tip: Left click to view, right click to save)
CV: view/download
Biography: view/download
Hi-res images
Publicists , speaker agents and media: Hi-res images to download (5 - 12MB per image).
Awards
Toastmasters International
Since joining Toastmasters International in 2010, I have won over 40 awards in various categories. My membership of Toastmasters, and participation in speaking competitions, ensures that I stay up to date with professional speaking styles and trends, and enables me to continually hone my skills as a speaker.
2017
- 17 January - Winner of the Annual Evaluation Competition - Highway Toastmasters Club
2016
- 23 February - Winner of the Annual Evaluation Competition - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 19 March - Area P2 Annual Evaluation Competition - Second Place
- 9 August - Winner of the Annual Impromptu Speech (Table Topics) Competition - Highway Toastmasters Club
2015
- 10 March - Winner of the Annual Evaluation Competition - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 11 March - Annual Evaluation Competition - Durban Toastmasters Club - Second Place
- 31 March - Best Prepared Speech of the Evening - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 31 March - Best Evaluation of the Evening - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 1 April - Competent Communicator - Toastmasters International
- 11 April - Winner of the Annual Evaluation Competition - Area Competition
- 11 August - Winner of the Annual Impromptu Speech (Table Topics) Competition - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 27 August - Area P2 Impromptu Speech (Table Topics) Contest - First Place
- 12 September - Division P Impromptu Speech (Table Topics) Contest - First Place (Division Champion)
2014
- 12 March - Winner of the Annual Evaluation Competition - Durban Toastmasters Club
- 27 May - Best Impromptu of the Evening - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 27 May - Best Evaluation of the Evening - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 8 July - Best Impromptu of the Evening - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 8 July - Best Evaluation of the Evening - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 9 July - Best Evaluation of the Evening - Durban Toastmasters Club
- 11 November - Best Impromptu of the Evening - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 11 November - Best Evaluation of the Evening - Highway Toastmasters Club
- 12 November - Best Impromptu of the Evening - Durban Toastmasters Club
- 12 November - Best Evaluation of the Evening - Durban Toastmasters Club
2013
- 9 January - Best Impromptu of the Evening
- 9 January - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 8 May - Best Impromptu of the Evening
- 12 June - Best Impromptu of the Evening (Tie)
- 12 June - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 10 July - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 11 September - Best Prepared Speech of the evening
- 11 September - Best Evaluation of the evening
- 14 September - Area P1 Impromptu (Table Topics) Contest - First Place
- 28 September 2013 - Division P Impromptu (Table Topics) Contest - Third Place
- 9 October 2013 - Best Evaluation of the evening
2012
- 18 January - Best Impromptu of the Evening
- 15 March - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 15 March - Best Impromptu of the Evening
- 31 March - Area F1 Impromptu Contest - Second Place
- 31 March - Area F1 Evaluation Contest - Third Place
- 31 March - Division F Impromptu Contest - Second Place
- 9 May - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 9 May - Best Impromptu of the Evening
- 8 August - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 12 September - Winner of the Annual Impromptu Speaking (Table Topics) Competition - Durban Toastmasters Club
- 15 September - Area F1 Impromptu (Table Topics) Contest - Second Place
- 15 September - Division F Impromptu (Table Topics) Contest - Third Place
- 10 October - Best Impromptu of the evening - a shared award
- 14 November - Third Speaker on Winning Debate Team
2011
- 12 January - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 9 March - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 2 April - Area F1 Impromptu Contest - Second Place
- 2 April - Area F1 Evaluation Contest - Second Place
- 2 April - Division F Impromptu Contest - Second Place
- 2 April - Division F Evaluation Contest - First Place
- 13 April - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 13 April - Best Impromptu of the Evening
- 15 April - Participated in Division 74 Impromptu Competition
- 15 April - Participated in Division 74 Evaluation Competition
- 11 May - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 13 July - Winner of the Annual Evaluation Competition - Durban Toastmasters Club
- 13 July - Winner of the Annual Impromptu Speaking Competition - Durban Toastmasters Club
2010
- 14 April - Best Impromptu of the Evening
- 11 August - Best Prepared Speech of the Evening
- 10 November - Best Evaluation of the Evening
- 10 November - Best Impromptu of the Evening
Second Place