Ellen Penny-Brookes, BACP
Ellen Penny-Brookes offers calm, straightforward support for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, low self-esteem or life changes.
About Ellen
Ellen Penny-Brookes offers calm, straightforward support for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, low self-esteem or life changes. She is named up front so readers know who they will be meeting. Her approach is practical and conversational, aimed at helping people feel steadier and more able to manage day-to-day pressures.
Ellen draws on five years of clinical work and a Masters degree in Psychodynamic counselling from the University of Essex.
Background and approach
She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred counselling from the University of East Anglia and is a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, BACP. Sessions focus on what is happening now and on patterns that repeat over time. She uses psychodynamic ideas to look at how past experiences can shape current feelings and relationships.
Alongside that, she offers client-centred listening that puts the person’s priorities first. Ellen works with common, everyday problems such as anxiety, depression, grief and relationship issues. She also supports people facing trauma, eating or sleeping difficulties, ADHD-related challenges and caregiver stress.
Conversations aim to be clear and compassionate, with space to name emotions and make manageable changes. Therapy is available in person in the UK and remotely by video, phone or messaging. People can expect a tailored plan based on their situation, with practical steps and reflective exploration to build longer-term coping skills.
Registration
| Body | Registration number | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| BACP | 385502 | August 2026 |
Registration details are as listed on the counsellor's public profile. You can check any number with the registering body.
Sessions and payment
Sessions are held online through our partner platform, by video, phone or messaging depending on the counsellor.
Costs are shown on the partner platform before you commit. If cost is a concern, ask about reduced-fee options.
Focus areas and approaches
What Ellen works with
Everything Ellen lists, in their own terms.
- 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.
Online support
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person in the room and their experience. The therapist listens without judgement, follows the person's priorities and helps them find their own solutions for problems like low self-esteem, stress and life transitions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ellen will talk with each person about what they want to achieve and adjust methods to fit their goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process where the person’s feedback shapes the direction of therapy.
Online sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. Video works well for face-to-face conversation, phone can be easier if bandwidth is limited, chat and messaging suit brief check-ins or people who prefer not to be on camera. These options help therapy fit around work, childcare and busy days while keeping a consistent route for ongoing support.
Frequently asked
What kinds of problems does Ellen help with?
Ellen supports people facing anxiety, stress, depression, grief and relationship difficulties. She also works with trauma, eating and sleeping issues, ADHD concerns and caregiver strain.
What is her style of therapy like?
Her style combines psychodynamic thinking with a client-centred approach, so sessions balance reflective exploration with listening to what matters most to the person.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years of practice and holds a Masters degree in Psychodynamic counselling from the University of Essex and a Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred counselling.
Where is she based and how is she registered?
She practices in the United Kingdom and is registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, BACP.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with her?
She does not accept international clients; sessions are provided to people within the United Kingdom.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is offered in video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How do I start a course of therapy?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.
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