- Murray Bowen
Claire Sydney
Psychotherapist, Relationship Therapist
Claire Sydney Therapy
Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010
In Person + Telehealth
Philosophy & Vision
Claire works with individuals and couples, with a focus on relationships, attachment, and emotional connection.
For couples, this often means working through patterns of conflict or disconnection and building a stronger sense of safety and closeness. For individuals, the work centres on understanding emotional patterns and relationship dynamics that may be contributing to feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Claire’s work is grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and informed by the Gottman Method, two of the most well-researched approaches for couples therapy. She is a member of ICEEFT and has completed Level 1 Gottman training.
Her approach focuses on understanding emotional needs beneath conflict and strengthening connection, creating meaningful and lasting change. Claire also integrates psychodynamic and relational perspectives to support deeper insight into present patterns.
Services
Couples Sessions with Claire:
Using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method principles, we work to slow down conflict, strengthen emotional safety, and support more open and meaningful connection. Rather than only improving communication, the focus is on helping you feel more understood, more supported, and more secure within your relationship.
Individual Sessions with Claire:
Individual therapy offers a space to slow things down and explore your inner world more deeply. Together, we work to understand the patterns shaping your experiences. Including how past relationships and experiences may be influencing the present.
Areas of Interest
Accreditations
- B.LibArts&Sc (Psychology) - 2022 - University of Sydney
- M.Couns & Psychotherapy - 2026 - Australia Collage of Applied Professions
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - CBT - Emotionally Focused Therapy - Gottman Method - Neuroscience - Person Centred - Psychodynamic
Therapy Approach
Claire believes meaningful change happens when people better understand themselves and their relationships. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based therapies, with a particular focus on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment theory. Whether working with individuals or couples, Claire helps clients explore the emotional patterns that may contribute to conflict, disconnection, anxiety, or feeling stuck. Together, they work to understand what sits beneath these patterns, strengthen emotional awareness, and develop new ways of responding that foster greater connection, security, and resilience. Claire also draws on Gottman Method, psychodynamic, and relational perspectives to support lasting change.
Professional Associations
- Australian Counselling Association - Level 2
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Practice Locations
200 Riley Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Claire provides individual and couples therapy from the Joplin Clinic in Surry Hills, a warm and accessible space designed to support meaningful therapeutic work. The clinic is centrally located and easily reached by public transport.
Appointments
Monday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm
Fees & Insurance
Couples Therapy: $260
Individual Sessions: $180
15-Min intro Call: Free
Contact Claire
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Claire Sydney
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I have always been fascinated by relationships and the profound impact they have on our wellbeing. What drew me to counselling was the opportunity to help people strengthen their connections with themselves and others. I am continually inspired by the positive ripple effect that can occur when relationships heal.
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I am influenced by attachment theory, relational psychotherapy, and the belief that healing occurs through safe and meaningful relationships. I am also drawn to strengths-based and humanistic perspectives that view people as inherently capable of growth and change.
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I am particularly interested in relationships, attachment, emotional wellbeing, identity, and the ways early experiences shape how we relate to ourselves and others.
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My work is grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and informed by the Gottman Method. I also draw on attachment theory, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and relational approaches to help clients better understand patterns, emotions, and relationships.
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Progress looks different for everyone. Often, clients begin to notice change when they develop greater awareness of their patterns, feel more understood, or begin responding differently in situations that previously felt difficult. Small shifts can often lead to significant change over time.
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Therapy has reinforced for me the value of self-awareness, emotional honesty, and meaningful relationships. It has taught me the importance of understanding patterns rather than judging them, and the role connection plays in personal growth and wellbeing.
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I value the privilege of being invited into people's stories and witnessing moments of insight, courage, and change. Supporting clients as they develop stronger relationships with themselves and others is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
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Absolutely! Don't we all!
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One of the greatest challenges we face today is disconnection, from ourselves, from one another, and from our communities. While technology has made communication easier, genuine emotional connection can often be harder to find. Strengthening connection is at the heart of both individual and collective wellbeing.