I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in existential psychotherapy and counselling from the University of Sheffield and a DCPsych in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy from Middlesex University. I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist registered with HCPC and accredited by the BPS.  I am also a UKCP registered existential psychotherapist and supervisor and a clinical member of the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (UPCA). I abide by all the professional bodies codes of ethics and practice.

I am the Academic Director at NSPC where I am also Course Leader for the DCPsych programme, a Senior Lecturer, Clinical Supervisor and Research Supervisor.  As a research supervisor I supervise doctoral research into motherhood and women’s issues.

I also have a wide range of experience and have worked in a variety of settings such as an NHS GP surgery, MIND, an Adult Education College and an International University as well as in private practice.

I am a mother of two and have written about and conducted research into motherhood.  My doctoral research explored the experience of first-time mothers as they made the transition into motherhood.

Publications

My publications on motherhood include the following:

The Existential Crisis of Motherhood

edited by Claire Arnold-Baker

The Existential Crisis of Motherhood offers a new perspective on the motherhood experience. Drawing on existential philosophy and recent existential-phenomenological research into motherhood, the book demonstrates how motherhood can be understood as an existential crisis. It argues that an awareness of the existential issues women face will enable mothers to gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted aspects of their experience. The book is divided into four sections: Existential Crisis, Maternal Mental Health Crisis, Social Crisis and Working with Existential Crisis. Each chapter is based on either experiential research or the author’s extensive therapeutic experience of working with mothers and reflects different aspects of the motherhood journey, all through the lens of a philosophical existential approach.

Arnold-Baker, C. (2020) Introduction: The Existential Crisis of Motherhood, in Arnold-Baker, C. (ed.) The Existential Crisis of Motherhood, Palgrave

Arnold-Baker, C. (2020)  Confronting Existence: The existential dimensions of becoming a mother, in Arnold-Baker, C. (ed.) The Existential Crisis of Motherhood, Palgrave

Arnold-Baker, C. & Garland, V. (2020)  Existential Group Work with Mothers, in Arnold-Baker, C. (ed.) The Existential Crisis of Motherhood, Palgrave

Arnold-Baker, C. (2020) Conclusion: The Courage to Be, in Arnold-Baker, C. (ed.) The Existential Crisis of Motherhood, Palgrave

Arnold-Baker, C. (2019)  ‘The Process of Becoming: Maternal Identity in the Transition to Motherhood’, Existential Analysis, 30.2, July, 260-274.

Arnold-Baker, C. (2019)  ‘The Public-Private Paradox: An existential exploration of mothers in society’, Self & Society, Vol 47, No. 1, Spring, 7-13.

Arnold-Baker, C., & Donaghy, M. ‘Procreation’, In Deurzen, E. van, & Arnold-Baker, C. (eds) (2005) Existential Perspectives on Human Issues: A Handbook for Therapeutic Practice

Arnold-Baker, C., ‘Depression’, In Deurzen, E. van, & Arnold-Baker, C. (eds) (2005) Existential Perspectives on Human Issues: A Handbook for Therapeutic Practice

Van Deurzen, E. & Arnold-Baker, C., ‘The Self’, In Deurzen, E. van & Arnold-Baker, C. (eds) (2005) Existential Perspectives on Human Issues: A Handbook for Therapeutic Practice