Claire Costello
Claire Costello (they/she) is a Qualified Mental Health Professional currently pursuing a clinical mental health counseling degree at NC State University. Prior to returning to school, they dedicated 8 years to clinical and administrative work in the mental health field. They have worked in community mental health settings as both a crisis counselor and dual-diagnosis mental health and substance use counselor, and held the role of Program Director at two outpatient therapy practices in the Triangle. In 2013, Claire earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from University of California at Berkeley. Her academic work focused on understanding systems of power and oppression, which greatly informs her approach to therapy.
Before Claire held a professional role in mental health, they were a participant in peer counseling. With her own experiences of neurodivergence and trauma, she discovered the healing power of mutual aid mental health. In contrast to the often paternalistic, invalidating, and condescending nature of professional therapy, Claire found the non-hierarchical structure of peer counseling deeply restorative. Through the relationships they built in and outside of peer counseling, Claire learned the importance of intentional community, mutual aid, harm reduction, self-determination, and personal autonomy. Inspired by the profound impact of her experiences, she pursued the work of counseling as a practice of community healing.
Claire’s therapeutic practice centers collaboration, mutual respect, and authenticity. Informed by Relational-Cultural Therapy and attachment theory, she embraces an integrative therapeutic approach that underscores the importance of meaningful connections in fostering well-being. Drawing from Liberation Psychology, Claire understands that individual mental health is shaped by the systemic and societal contexts in which we exist. Though therapy is not a cure-all for the material realities of late-stage capitalism and a colonized world, they believe everyone deserves to feel acknowledged, understood, and supported in effecting desired changes in their lives.
Claire provides individual therapy to adults, and holds a particular passion for working with queer, trans, and non-monogamous individuals, those experiencing grief or end-of-life concerns, political activists and organizers, as well as individuals navigating transitional life periods, identity issues, or other existential questioning.
"If you have come here to help us, you are wasting your time.
But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with ours, then let us work together."
- Shared by Lilla Watson, Murri political activist and visual artist
