- Years in practice
- 5
- Registration
- BACP
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Self esteem
About Ellen
Ellen Penny-Brookes offers calm, practical support for parents and adults feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety or life transitions. She writes simply and listens closely, helping people untangle difficult feelings and make small changes that ease day-to-day life. Ellen works with issues such as low self-esteem, grief, trauma, sleep and eating difficulties, and parenting concerns.
Ellen trained in psychodynamic counselling and also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling from the University of East Anglia.
Background and approach
She has five years' experience and is registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, BACP. Ellen sees people in the United Kingdom and offers in-person and remote sessions via video, phone and messaging. Her approach often looks at how early experiences shape current feelings and patterns.
She helps clients notice repetitive thoughts and behaviours and consider where they came from. Sessions combine reflective conversation with practical steps to reduce anxiety, improve sleep or manage difficult emotions. Ellen aims to create a respectful, gentle space where parents can talk about guilt, anger or exhaustion without judgement.
She can support those coping with loss, burnout or the strain of caregiving, and she pays attention to attachment and relationship patterns that affect parenting. People who choose Ellen can expect a collaborative, down-to-earth process. She offers a tailored plan rather than a one-size-fits-all model and adjusts the pace to each person's needs.
Sessions are available by video calls, phone, live chat and text messaging.
What Ellen works with
Everything Ellen lists, in their own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Ellen helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Ellen lists
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
How Ellen’s approaches work online
Psychodynamic therapy looks at how early experiences and unseen emotions shape current reactions and relationships. In practice this means talking about patterns, memories and repeating themes to understand why certain responses happen and to find new ways of relating that reduce distress.Client-centred work focuses on the person's experience in the moment. The counsellor reflects what is said and offers a compassionate, non-directive presence so clients can discover their own solutions. This approach is helpful for emotional openness, self-esteem and parenting concerns.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ellen will discuss different ways of working and collaborate with each person to decide what fits their needs and goals. That choice can change over time as new issues emerge or progress is made.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat and text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and subtle body language; phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Messaging and live chat suit brief updates, written reflection or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options help fit therapy around parenting schedules and day-to-day life.
Questions people ask about Ellen
What issues can be discussed in sessions?
Ellen helps people with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, grief, trauma and parenting concerns, among other issues listed in her profile.
What is her general therapeutic style?
She blends psychodynamic thinking with person-centred ideas and practical techniques to help clients understand patterns and make manageable changes.
How much experience does she have?
She has five years of practice working with adults on a range of difficulties including anxiety, burnout and relationship problems.
What credentials and location apply?
Ellen is registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What formats do sessions take?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are fees and starting arranged?
Costs vary with location and the subscription model is used; to begin, select Start Therapy, complete the short matching questionnaire and schedule according to the therapist's availability.
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