"My name is Ellen and I'm an experienced, accredited counsellor, passionate about working with individuals or couples. I offer a warm, confidential, non-judgmental space to work collaboratively with each person and their own unique needs. You may be experiencing a crisis, or you might find yourself repeating patterns in life and going around in circles, or you may simply just wish to grow. Whatever is prompting you to seek counselling, I will work with you to help you to understand and make sense of your thoughts, feelings and experiences, and support you to find your own way forwards.”

I am a fully qualified, accredited Counsellor, trained in individual counselling, couple counselling, EMDR, and group therapy.   I have worked with clients for over 20 years in the voluntary sector and in private practice. My core training is as an Integrative Counsellor (Psychodynamic, Humanistic & CBT) which draws on a range of theories, meaning that I can tailor our collaborative work to best fit your individual concerns. I have also been formally trained as an Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT) to help support couples facing challenges in their relationship.  I am also a qualified EMDR (eye movement, desensitisation and reprocessing) therapist- a powerful therapy for treating trauma. I also include somatic and body-based therapies in my counselling work, as well as mindfulness practices and psychoeducation.

• In addition, I have some areas of specialism. These include:
  • • Working with mums and all issues relating to parenthood, from pregnancy and beyond. This includes mums with post-natal depression, anxiety or PTSD. I have worked extensively with people who have experienced trauma, including birth trauma. I am passionate about working with new mums who need some therapeutic support to adjust to their new role, and all the changes and challenges that come with the transition to motherhood. Indeed I co-founded a 10-week postnatal group called Mummyshock in Brighton & Hove which offers a group programme of support for new mums via a local Charity. Please see mummyshock.org.uk for more information. You are welcome to bring your baby along to counselling sessions if you wish.
    • I have also received some formal training in using the Enneagram as a tool for self-reflection in counselling, in addition to over 20 years of personal study of the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a personality type system of nine personality types, and twenty-seven subtypes. The Enneagram system can provide an insightful picture of personality in terms of the patterns associated with the way we function and can be a very effective tool to use and incorporate in counselling.

Alongside my Private Practice, I also work part-time as a CEO of a Women's Counselling Service in Brighton & Hove.

• • Qualifications:
    • EFT Advanced Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (Marriage Care)
    • Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (ICEEFT & Marriage Care)
    • Certificate in Relationship Counselling (Marriage Care, BACP Accredited)
    • Levels 1-3 EMDR (EMDR EUROPE, Simon Proudlock)
    • Post-Graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling with Merit (University of Greenwich, London).
     
• Professional Memberships:
  • • Member of the British Emotionally Focused Therapy Community (BEFT Community)
    • Member of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
    • Member of the EMDR Association

 

• Professional Registration:I am an Accredited and Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (No.51177) and I abide by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I also have full Professional Indemnity Insurance.

I offer in person counselling if you wish to work face to face, or online Zoom sessions if you prefer, or live outside of Brighton.