Claire – The Person

Although I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer and coach, by making the most of every opportunity, I have also had wonderful experiences in other fields.

I’ve 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 look for adventure in everything I do and everywhere I go. I love to travel and I am a collector of experiences!

Claire – The Professional

By now you know I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer and coach. What you perhaps don't know is that I started out 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 lead me into the field of psychology.

Not content with limiting myself to full time private practice, I decided to apply my skills as a psychologist in other areas, including lecturing, training, coaching and speaking. These seemingly diverse areas of work actually link well together and enhance each other. They are underpinned by my core belief system - the philosophy and principles by which I live my life. To read more about my beliefs click here.

My Beliefs

• 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 decions be governed by wisdom & common sense - not by fear.
• Focus your energy on those things that are lasting, such as 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, as a professional, incorporates a variety of aspects. These aspects are all underpinned by my passion for developing people - especially their interpersonal skills - and helping them live the life of their dreams. I want to develop people's YOU-Q!.

• As a Psychologist
  To continue the work that I do in my private practice and in the corporate sector – consulting, as well as working with Employee Assistance Programmes.
• As a Speaker
  To travel the world on speaking engagements - sharing my message on YOU-Q and finding our Inner-Winner.
• As a Trainer
  To become an international leading trainer in Interpersonal and Counselling Skills.
• As a Coach
  To work with individuals who want to live the life of their dreams. To help them develop their YOU-Q!.
• Media
  To be regularly published in the media, and be interviewed on radio and TV.
• Author
  To write a book... or two!
  

What's with the fridge magnets?

In case you are wondering what the fridge magnets are doing on my site let me explain...

To know my fridge is to know me! Anyone who knows me well knows my fridge magnets…so I decided it would be great 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.

I have been fortunate enough to do a lot of travelling, and it was while I was in the USA that I decided to buy fridge magnets as souvenirs.

It started out as a bit of a joke – so many people think fridge magnets are kitsch and so did I - but it has become a delightful, and serious, collection over the years. I love my magnetic memory collection! Every time I look at my fridge, I am transported back to one of the wonderful places I have visited. Wondering where my next magnet will come from creates a delightful feeling of anticipation.

My fridge door is now adorned with many magnets, and it is certainly a talking point when friends and clients come to see me. However, when friends started to buy me magnets from their own travels I had to ask them to stop – the rule for being on my fridge is that I personally have to have been there long enough to have found and purchased a magnet for myself. I get a kick out of purchasing interesting magnets – they are not always available.

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.

To enjoy my stories, click here!