- Person-centred
- Psychodynamic insight
- Practical tools
About Ellen
Ellen Penny-Brookes is a counsellor who helps people who are anxious, grieving, coping with relationship strain, or facing life changes. She uses a calm, straightforward style that aims to make talking about difficult things easier. Ellen holds a BACP registration and has five years of practice in the United Kingdom.
She trained at the University of East Anglia with a Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling and completed a Masters degree with distinction in Psychodynamic Counselling at the University of Essex. Ellen draws on both person-centred and psychodynamic ideas to shape sessions. That means she pays attention to what someone is feeling now and to how earlier experiences can still affect daily life.
In sessions Ellen listens for patterns in relationships and emotions and helps people notice how past events might be influencing present choices. She also uses practical tools from cognitive behavioural approaches when they fit a person’s goals. The emphasis is on being understood, and then trying small, realistic steps to feel better or manage stress.
Ellen has worked with adults, children and adolescents in private practice. She offers in-person appointments as well as remote options by video, voice call and messaging. She supports a wide range of concerns including anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, ADHD and compassion fatigue.
People who choose Ellen tend to want a listening space and clear, respectful guidance. She aims to tailor sessions to each person’s needs and preferences, helping them find clearer ways to cope and move forward.
How Ellen uses different approaches in online therapy
Client-centred work focuses on listening without judgement and following what matters most to the person. It helps when someone needs a steady space to talk, rebuild confidence, or make sense of strong feelings. Attachment-based ideas look at how early relationships shape current ways of relating and can help with trust, abandonment worries, or repeating patterns in relationships.Psychodynamic thinking pays attention to feelings and patterns that happen outside conscious awareness and can help people understand why they respond in certain ways. Ellen combines these approaches with practical strategies from CBT when a person wants concrete coping tools. Deciding which mix to use is collaborative and based on the person's goals, history and preferences rather than fixed rules.
Please confirm the specific online session formats available before booking as the biography lists remote options such as video, voice call and messaging. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into busy days, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Conversations conducted remotely still let a therapist hear your concerns, notice patterns, suggest practical steps and support changes in everyday 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 issues can I bring to sessions?
Ellen works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, anger, depression and ADHD. She also supports people facing relationship and family problems and difficulties with attachment and body image.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style combines person-centred listening with psychodynamic thinking and practical CBT techniques where helpful. Sessions focus on being heard, recognising patterns, and trying manageable steps to change.
How much experience does she have?
She has five years of practice working in counselling, having carried out work with adults, children and adolescents in private practice settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and works in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and how therapy is scheduled; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.