- Psychodynamic approach
- Client-centred work
- CBT techniques
About Ellen
Ellen Penny-Brookes is a counsellor registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has five years of practice. She holds a Masters degree with distinction in Psychodynamic Counselling and a Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling. Ellen works with adults, children and adolescents on everyday problems people bring to therapy.
She often helps people who are coping with anxiety, stress and low self-esteem. She supports those facing grief, relationship difficulties, burnout and trauma. She also works with issues around eating, sleeping, parenting and identity concerns linked to LGBT and gender dysphoria.
Ellen draws on psychodynamic thinking to look at how past experiences shape present feelings and patterns. She combines that perspective with client-centred ways of working that focus on listening and being present during conversations. She also uses cognitive behavioural ideas when practical changes and coping strategies are useful.
Sessions are described by Ellen as conversational and reflective. She aims to help people notice recurring patterns, understand emotional reactions and try different responses in daily life. That can include practical steps such as managing stress, changing unhelpful thought patterns, or exploring unresolved feelings from earlier relationships.
Ellen runs work from a private practice in the United Kingdom and offers remote sessions as well as in-person consultation. She asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire before their first appointment and to schedule a first session once they have reviewed the online options.
Her background includes specialist study in psychodynamic counselling and person-centred approaches, and five years of clinical experience working with a broad range of concerns including trauma, depression and adolescent issues.
How psychodynamic and practical approaches work online
Psychodynamic therapy looks at how early relationships and unconscious patterns affect current feelings and behaviours. It helps when recurring reactions, attachment issues or long-standing emotional patterns feel confusing and are getting in the way of daily life.Client-centred work focuses on careful listening and reflecting what a person says. That approach supports people who need time to make sense of their thoughts and feelings while deciding what matters next.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with clients about their goals and preferences and decide collaboratively whether psychodynamic thinking, client-centred conversation or CBT-style practical techniques will be most useful at different times.
The biography notes both in-person consultation and remote options by video, voice call and messaging, but clients should confirm current session formats before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments around work or family commitments, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when a full session is not needed. Registered or accredited professionals commonly adapt their methods to work well in remote sessions, for example by using focused exercises, reflective conversation and concrete coping strategies suited to each person's day-to-day life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, trauma, grief and related concerns such as eating and sleeping difficulties and relationship problems.
How does Ellen approach feeling stuck or directionless?
Her practice uses psychodynamic thinking alongside client-centred listening and cognitive behavioural ideas to help people notice patterns and try practical changes.
What experience does she bring to this work?
She has five years of clinical practice and holds a Masters degree with distinction in Psychodynamic Counselling plus a Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling.
What are her credentials and where does she practise?
She is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and practises in the United Kingdom.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages or from other countries?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The biography states she offers in-person consultation and remote work via video, voice call and messaging; please confirm current formats before booking.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to try sessions with her?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.