Counselling in Hove

If you are struggling with an aspect of your life, or would like to get a better understanding of yourself, I'm here to help. I am an experienced Integrative Existential psychotherapist offering a confidential, supportive, safe, and non-judgemental space to help you explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. I work in a holistic way that honours your unique experience and draws on a number of different therapeutic approaches to tailor support to your individual needs. I value diversity and individuality, my practice is non-discriminatory, I work within the BACP ethical framework and I hold an Enhanced DBS certificate.

Hello, I work close to nature, in a private and quiet garden cabin and my dog Bertie is with me if you would like him to be. I want to support you to be OK with yourself. Some of the following questions we might over the time we work together: What are your needs and are you able to express them? What you would like to change in your life and how would life be different after counselling? How do you see yourself and the world and how do you feel you are seen? I like to work creatively, using therapeutic tools to help you connect to different parts of yourself such as sandtray, two chair work, and IFS; exploring what works for you.

I am a MBACP registered counsellor in private practice in Hove Horsham & Lewes. I have broad experience in relationship therapy, young people and family matters. My background is psychology & psychotherapy, having worked with a number of organisations such as RELATE & MIND UK

I am a warm and compassionate Consultant Clinical Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society, Health and Care Professions Council, and the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.
 I have over 15 years experience in the NHS and have worked in various positions and different contexts, working with adults and young people. My most recent post was as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working across three prisons in Surrey. I have extensive experience of providing psychological therapy, draw on the latest evidence, and tailor the therapy to your current needs and presenting difficulties.

It could be you have recently hit a tough time in your life and need a space to make sense of it. It might be that a relationship has become difficult; with your partner, at work with colleagues, with your children or close family members. You may be suffering symptoms of anxiety and depression and you are finding it harder to function in daily life. It may be that you are transitioning from one stage to another in your life; leaving home, starting a family or approaching retirement and you need somewhere to work through some of the feelings of anxiety, fear and uncertainty that such a change can bring.

My name is Ellen and I am a BACP accredited, experienced Counsellor, trained in individual counselling and couple counselling. I offer a warm, confidential, non-judgmental space to work collaboratively with whatever issues you are bringing to therapy. I have worked with clients for over 16 years, in the voluntary sector and in private practice. In addition I am the part-time CEO of a women's counselling Charity in Brighton & Hove.

I know how hard it is to make this first step, and you've done it. I welcome you. I offer one-to-one counselling and psychotherapy, and describe this as more than simply ‘talking’ therapy. I invite you to explore the body-mind relationship. Are all the parts of you speaking the same language or is there a conflict? What does all of you have to say? I also acknowledge the unique context you are in, and how it plays an integral part on your journey in addition to how you are and see the world. There is value in this relational interplay, much like the sails on a boat navigating all the weathers around it.

If you've got problems, I can help.. As a therapist I am happiest when I am genuinely able to make a difference to someone and help them feel better. I have had a great deal of experience of working with many different people, each one of them with their own unique story, and their own way of seeing the world, each one of them also with the problems that sometimes arise for all of us as human beings trying to live the best we can. Maybe you feel anxious and don't know why? Perhaps you've had things happen that are still affecting you?

Mob: 07557 358139. I work with adults and young people from various nationalities and cultures presenting a wide range of wellbeing issues. Sessions face-to-face, online video and telephone, in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Living and working in the UK for over 25 years. Grounded in the humanistic approach which focus on the human potential for creativity, love, growth, fulfilmentent and wellgeing, I'm committed to helping each of my clients to make sense of their circumstances, identifying choices for change and supporting them during the process of change; or simply supporting them on their self-development journey.

I have been practising as a Counsellor for 15 years, qualifying with a MSc (Hons). I am registered with BACP. I developed my practice whilst working in Inner City London, for the NHS in a large health centre alongside the mental health team. I am now in private practice. I have developed a creative approach to my work over the years, as I have a Jungian approach with a broad knowledge of integrated counselling styles. I see clients as people with problems and not just the labels. I am aware that the first step in seeking counselling can seem daunting. If you wish to talk, I am here.

Life can be difficult and its easy to feel things are impossible, feeling unable to cope or out of control. You may want things to change, or want to change something about yourself. Counselling can help you understand and deal with difficult feelings and situations, counselling is not just about helping you solve problems its about helping you make positive changes. I have experience in a wide range of issues such as: Bereavement, Anxiety, Substance Misuse, Anger, Relationships, Self Harm, Low Self Esteem and Sexual Abuse. Together we can focus on whatever is important to you.

Life can be difficult, unpredictable and chaotic. Sometimes we can believe that we are 'doomed' to a life we must just 'get' through, and we can feel overwhelmed, anxious and lacking in self confidence . Or we get stuck in repetitive patterns in our relationships or career that continue to make us miserable. If you feel unable or unsure how to make the changes you want to make, I can support you to free yourself from the grip of anxiety, help you to build your confidence and self esteem and enable you to feel more motivated, connected and fulfilled in yourself, your life and your relationship with others.

‘Nobody has the power to take two steps together. You can take only take one step at a time’ -Ohso. It takes courage to face the discomfort and uncertainty we are left with from our past. I believe we all hold the ability to heal form life’s experiences. By working with both the mind and body together, we increase awareness of what we are holding onto from our past that may leave us feeling distressed, isolated or stuck. Therapy can help identify and release emotional blocks or unhelpful patterns, so you can move forward in a new direction towards positive change. Sessions can be ongoing, short term, or a single session as required.

At different stages in our lives, we encounter difficulties that prevent us from fully enjoying life. It can be anything from anxiety and depression, to the loss of a person (through death or relationship breakdown), to deeply rooted emotional issues (such as low self-esteem or inability to form relationships). Other times, we are unable to fully explain what is troubling us - we just know that something is. Asking for help can be difficult - finding the right kind of help and support can be more challenging. With each person and difficulty being unique, I tailor my approach to suit each client's needs and communication style.

Sometimes life can be really hard. Everything feels like too much, and we wonder how we can keep going. We can get overwhelmed with guilt for not coping, shame for having failed in the past and we can end up not really liking ourselves very much. We might self-medicate with substances which we know don't really help, but they seem better than nothing.

My clients have been of all ages and backgrounds. The commonality is the need to find practical and positive solutions to managing complicated emotions. By setting realistic and achievable goals, together, my clients and I forge a path forward for them, learning new thinking skills as we go, alongside home progress tasks and behavioural work too. It's a very collaborative experience and one which is powered by my clients' desire to change. I support people living through periods of anxiety or depression, relationship issues and self-development. An initial assessment session will help us decide if this therapy is right for you.

First Online Session is Free to explore therapy, see if we are a good fit. I work with short and long-term sessions. I will help you achieve positive thoughts and changes in a very different way to most therapists. I support you to embrace a depth of work with challenging (and always compassionate) processes, to feel empowered, gain insight, move forwards with absolute insight, strength and positivity.

I believe that even when faced with what may seem to be insurmountable difficulties, we all have the capacity to heal, recover from the traumatic experiences we may have faced, and live life more fully. Taking the first step on a healing journey can be challenging but finding the right therapist that you can trust and feel comfortable with can make all the difference in helping you move forward and feel safe and supported in exploring the issues you want to work with.