My name’s Claire Thompson and I have a lifelong passion for exploring, expressing and sharing what it means to be alive and human – integrally part of the natural world.
This inspired me to author two internationally-published books: Mindfulness and the Natural World and The Art of Mindful Birdwatching. Currently based in Bristol, UK but also working internationally, I’m a writer, retreat leader, mindfulness teacher, wellbeing/personal development practitioner and trainee psychotherapist.
How can we live meaningful lives on our planet?
This question fuels the lifelong curiosity that inspires my work, coupled with my love of the natural world – where I have always felt a sense of belonging and purpose. I believe that finding meaning is one of the most important challenges we face as human beings and I’ve always found nature to be my most trustworthy teacher along the way. I think that when we experience a lack of meaning, our hearts suffer and we become at risk of behaving in destructive ways towards ourselves, others and the world. I believe that our search for meaning must be done with compassion, love, trust, humility, genuineness, wonder – and an excellent sense of humour!
Bringing people together: we can’t do this alone.
I have learnt that this beautiful but difficult work of being human can’t be done alone. We need each other and connection is vital when it comes to facing the challenges of living. This is the part of my work I love the most; I have the privilege of bringing people together to share what it means to be human and of witnessing, accompanying and connecting with others on this journey.
Reconnecting with self, others and nature
I believe that most of the well being, mental health and spiritual challenges we’re facing in the world today are natural responses to our disconnection from ourselves, from others and from the natural world. Reconnecting to life within us and around us is the key to bringing forth a more peaceful, loving and sustainable world. I set up Mindfulness of Nature to honour this passion for supporting others to ‘come alive’ to themselves, others and wider nature.
A little bit more about me
I value love, peace, beauty, togetherness, creativity, fun, integrity and freedom and do my best to live by these values. A love for travel, diverse cultures and our planet’s amazing natural world inspires my international work and retreats; I speak English, French and Spanish – having been brought up bilingual in France and lived in Spain, Chile and Mexico. Outside of my work, I love playing and listening to music, dancing, hiking, reading, going to the theatre, visiting art museums and going to gigs. Above all, I always enjoy a good laugh.
Experience
Psychotherapy training
As well as my work through Mindfulness of Nature and a lifelong personal practice of mindfulness and self-reflection, I am currently training as an integrative psychotherapist with the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education in London. As part of this training, I have recent experience accompanying hospice patients and their relatives through 1:1 support at Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge and offering counselling to those facing death, dying, bereavement and loss in Bristol.
Wellbeing and personal development practitioner
I currently work with YourPark in Bristol leading their ‘Roots to Wellbeing’ groups for people experiencing physical and mental health support referred for nature connection through NHS green social prescribing routes.
In the past, I’ve worked as the Wellbeing Coordinator for Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge – supporting student wellbeing and mental health and as a Psychological Well Being Practitioner with the NHS – where I worked 1:1 with people experiencing anxiety, depression, phobias, panic and burnout.
Mindfulness practitioner
I have over 10 years’ experience of mindfulness practice and teaching in various settings. I’ve facilitated meditation classes at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre and led a number of retreats and courses at Trigonos Retreat Centre in Snowdonia, Sharpham House in Devon and in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, the Wildlife Trusts, the National Trust and the Cambridge Judge Business School.
Nature conservationist
Prior to my work in the therapeutic setting, I graduated in 2008 with a B.A. in Natural Sciences, Zoology from the University of Cambridge. Whilst at University I led an expedition to the Chilean Lake District with the aim of inspiring passion for nature in others. I also volunteered extensively in Latin America on wildlife conservation projects in both Chile and Mexico. I then dedicated 10 years of my career to date to the protection of our natural world. I worked for three years with the World Land Trust, an international conservation organisation based in Suffolk, UK and for 7 years as a Projects Manager with BirdLife International, the world’s largest partnership of nature conservation organisations, based in Cambridge, UK. In both these roles I facilitated capacity building and knowledge exchange workshops working with people from all over the world.
Qualifications
2022- Present (in training): Accredited Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education in London.
2021: Post Graduate Diploma as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (NHS Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner training)
2008: University of Cambridge BA (Hons) in Biological Natural Sciences – Class high II.i.
2004: International Lycée François 1er, Fontainebleau, France: French Scientific Baccalaureate with international option.
DISCOVER MORE
READ PRESS COVERAGE
- The Power of Nature – article in TRAIL Magazine, the UK’s best hillwalking magazine
- Blog by “New in Cambridge” on how I came to set up Mindfulness of Nature
- Blog by the Head Ranger of the Wildlife Trusts Trumpington Nature Reserve, Cambridge.
- Interview by Conservation Careers on my career in nature conservation
WHAT OTHERS SAY
“Claire’s gift is to be able to be able to compassionately sit with others in the most difficult experiences of life and enjoy a laugh with us with such joy when appropriate. I always felt seen, inspired, safe and cared for around her”.
Jill, London
“Claire is very skilled and perceptive. She brings a lot of warmth, humour, generosity and sensitivity, always creating a safe space where you feel genuinely listened to and understood.”
Chris, Cambridge
” Claire has the impressive ability to bring people from all ages, professions, backgrounds and geographic locations across the globe into a relaxed, fun and open-minded setting. She is such a great leader! I really appreciated her dedication and availability for each group member. Her online course was the highlight of my week.“
Camille, Montreal
Thank you Christopher. I really like it alot and absolutely identify with its meaning…Thank you for sharing this.
Hi Claire!
I want to say that I finished reading your book on Birdwatching and I have to say it was a delightful read as it opened up to me what makes birdwatching vital to us and our world. I am the president of the ornithology club at my school, and this book has inspired me to be more devoted to our natural world.
Sincerely,
Samuel Boudreau
Samuel Boudreau
Dear Samuel,
Thank you very much for your message. I am so happy you enjoyed the read!
I wish you lots more happy times with the natural world 🙂
Best wishes
Clare