Counsellor profile
Ellen Penny-Brookes, BACP
Counsellor - anxiety and trauma
See online counselling options- Psychodynamic approach
- Person-centred work
- CBT techniques
About Ellen
Counsellor Ellen Penny-Brookes is a member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) with five years of practice. She lists work with anxiety, burnout, low self-esteem, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, loneliness, loss and grief, and childhood and adolescent issues. Sessions are offered in English from a UK base.
Ellen trained at the University of Essex where she completed a Masters in Psychodynamic Counselling with distinction. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling from the University of East Anglia. Her registration with the BACP is noted as part of her professional details.
Her practice draws on psychodynamic thinking. That means she pays attention to motives and feelings that might lie outside conscious awareness. Ellen helps people notice repeating patterns in relationships and daily life, and considers how early experiences still shape present reactions.
She also uses client-centred ideas, which focus on listening and responding to what each person brings. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques are used when clearer, practical steps are useful for managing symptoms such as anxiety or low mood. Trauma-focused methods are available for those coping with past abuse or distressing events.
Ellen works with adults and with younger clients as described in her qualifications. She offers appointments both in person and remotely by video, voice call and messaging. To start, people are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
Therapeutic approaches and working remotely
Psychodynamic therapy looks at how early experiences and out-of-awareness feelings shape current behaviour and relationships. It helps when someone wants to understand repeating patterns, strong emotional reactions, or where problems might come from.Client-centred work focuses on listening and responding to the person in front of the counsellor. It aims to give space for someone to speak, be heard, and make their own sense of things. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) provides short, practical tools to manage symptoms such as anxiety, low mood or sleep disruption.
Finding the right mix of these approaches is often part of early sessions. The counsellor will work with each person to decide what fits best based on their aims and what feels most helpful. This is a collaborative process and may change over time as needs shift.
Her profile notes she offers remote work by video, voice call and messaging as well as in-person appointments. Please confirm the exact session formats available before booking. Remote sessions can make it easier to fit counselling around work, childcare or travel, allow shorter check-ins by phone, and let people choose whether to be on camera during a session.
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 address?
She works with anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, grief, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, addiction concerns and related issues.
How would she work with me in sessions?
The approach includes psychodynamic thinking to notice patterns, person-centred listening, and CBT steps for practical symptom management when useful.
How much experience does she have?
She has five years of counselling practice experience after completing postgraduate study in the field.
Which professional body is she registered with?
She is registered with the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).
What languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does she use?
Her biography states she works in person and remotely using video, voice call and messaging; confirm current options before booking.
How much do sessions cost and how do I begin?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. To start, select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.