About me
Hello, I'm Eleanor, and I've been loving the work I do - since 1996. I know I look a lot younger than 49 - what's my secret? Well, honestly: I’ve invested a lot in my own holistic wellbeing to heal and keep growing - be encouraged, it pays off! I’m excited to pass the many gems for true transformation on - to you.
I also co-create the kind of teamwork with my fantastic clients that actually feels energising and positive!
As you’ll already know, making changes are far easier when you’ve got someone guiding you, motivating you, AND you feel a wholehearted connection with them that you actually enjoy - perhaps with plenty of shared chuckles along the way!
You and I can also create this together - for where it really matters that you feel truly supported and uplifted to get unstuck and freed up, to live your life in lighter ways.
Especially if what you’ve been experiencing feels very heavy.
My specialism
I specialise in helping conscientious, caring and hard-working people transform their burdens of worry, guilt, self criticism and stress into new patterns of thinking and responding that feel wiser, healthier, more balanced and empowering.
Life is intense!! It requires all of us to commit to cultivate more consistent strength, steadiness and self-leadership from inside us.
I'm here to help you achieve that. In ways that feel actively doable and good.
I've dedicated the past 30 years to helping people cultivate more confidence, freedom and peace of mind, even in the face of the major hurdles, transitions, and scarey decisions that life presents for us to heal, learn and grow from.
My expertise - and passion - is helping people make the necessary transformations - inside and out - to release themselves from anxiety driven coping styles and over-thinking.... and create meaningful relationships, careers and life choices that are motivated and shaped by their deeper values.
Values that range from living with more deliberate joy, pleasure and self care to shift out of hyper-vigilance, over-functioning or burnout...
...or more grounded presence, bravery and boldness to release the grip of OCD, social or attachment anxiety, avoidance or procrastination.
Who I work with
I support people (18+) from diverse backgrounds, cultures and identities. Many of the people I work with feel ground down by the pressure of trying to get everything right, people-pleasing, perfectionism, relationship concerns or challenges with boundaries. They want to move beyond insight alone and feeling disempowered. They want to create meaningful change in how they think, feel, relate and, ultimately, live.
Around half of my clients identify as LGBTQIA, around half as neurodivergent and/or HSP. Everyone identifies as struggling with anxiety-driven over-thinking. Rest assured, even though we can feel very disconnected and alone in that churning place, it's actually common ground that unites.
We ALL have the challenge of evolution's negativity bias to deal with - before our nuanced personal trials (so it's important to have therapy that's neuroscience informed - hi!)
Here for you.
Whether your focus is relationships, work, purpose, community or your connection with yourself, our teamwork can help you feel less stuck, less depleted and more able to enjoy your life, your relationships and the future ahead.
I can help you do this with four achievable steps, where we work together to:
- Create a constructive route map and positive pathway forwards that’s based on your core needs, aims and values
- Stabilise your nervous system and strengthen your resilience with somatic (body based) methods and doable, practical actions (often the ones you already know you need to do but need some positive accountability encouragement!)
- Actively heal and shift old patterns and install new templates that work much better for you
- Build in new skills and sustainable habits for your long term success
If this speaks to you, it would be super to hear from you as I’d love to help!
Check out my website www.eleanorbigden.com to discover more about how we could create an empowering team together that truly helps you get unstuck - with sessions you actually feel excited about!
Specific issues I can help you with
My experience of working in mental health in the NHS for 10 years, and running a busy private practice since 2009 means I've helped many people transform specific challenges such as GAD, OCD, PTSD and CPTSD, social anxiety, healthy anxiety, depression, stress, imposter syndrome, insomnia, BDD and struggles with body image, low confidence, self identity and difficult relationships.
I help people release themselves from those rather addictive coping habits we can all get caught up in at times: procrastination or over functioning, emotional eating, insta or doom scrolling…
I am especially passionate about helping people overcome the sneaky habits of tumbling into people pleasing, self sacrifice, self criticism and perfectionism as I know from the inside out how essential they are to heal and shift.
How I work
Many clients come to me because they feel stuck in painful cycles or old survival strategies that no longer serve them. My role is to help you understand those patterns, soften them where needed and create space for something new. I tread lightly and will always try and bring a smile to your face even when tackling the tricky stuff.
I draw from different elements of the therapies I’ve studied and practiced over the last three decades.
From CBT, EMDR and Internal Family Systems informed “parts work” that you might have heard about, to other evidence based, attachment informed, experiential therapies: Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Schema Therapy, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Together, we'll pinpoint what you and I can do to what's driving your difficulties, process experiences that need healing and develop new ways of relating to yourself, others and life: with greater confidence, wisdom and self-trust.
Therapy that feels human
Sounds kooky but wherever possible, I want therapy to be something you actually look forward to! I want you to feel yourself getting stronger and feel empowered as you help yourself go from struggle to strength.
Alongside healing, I'm passionate about helping people build a more compassionate, respectful and enjoyable relationship with themselves. We'll work at a pace that feels right for you. We’ll combine those specialist therapies with down-to-earth tools, actions and shared life-insight. And you’ll be consistently welcomed, seen and supported by me with the encouragement, attentiveness, true consideration and genuine care that we all need to adopt and maintain lasting change in everyday life.
Your questions answered
You can find more FAQs on my website www.eleanorbigden.com. Or, please get in touch on 07507376875 to book a free clarity call to ask more. Here are a few you may be asking.
What can I expect sessions to feel like?
Whether we meet online, by phone or for a walk-and-talk session, imagine being warmly supported to take a breath, reconnect with yourself and get clear on what you truly need, value and want from your life.
Alongside transformation focused therapy that is specifically tailored to you, I am very happy to provide you with sensible guidance, practical tools and compassionate, emotional support to help you feel more grounded, anchored and steady while you move through what's keeping you stuck, get out the other side, and create meaningful change in your everyday life.
Why do you work mainly online and by phone?
Because research shows that for most issues, therapy that's actively evidence based is just as effective online and over the phone and, realistically, life is busy, so it makes sense to max out on the various benefits of having sessions from the comfort of your own home, practicality of your office, or refresh of getting outdoors.
I find sessions feel especially relevant when you're already in your real life rather than stepping into a therapy "bubble" where insights can feel profound but easy to forget afterwards... oops!
Many of my clients like being able to stretch, walk, water the plants, do a bit of art while we talk. When's the last time you got some paints out, just for you? These simple things can help people stay connected to themselves and the present moment, rather than getting lost in a very heady therapy conversation.
Will it still feel safe and connected?
I am totally committed to creating a genuinely safe, supportive and encouraging team relationship for all my clients. It’s at the heart of my work.
Alongside my professional training, please rest assured that I’m very likely to get it from the inside out! I bring my own life experience of a mammoth and amazing healing journey out of CPTSD and all that goes with it. The confidence, self doubt and self esteem struggles, people pleasing, self sacrifice and perfectionism… and all the anxiety, exhaustion, insomnia and depression that then spins off of that!! The works one could say!!
It’s been profound to transform all of that, step by step, into a truly loving relationship with myself, a balanced relationship with life, and the ability to be deeply present with other people. So you'll not only have my professional expertise, but also my wholeheartedness, practical down-to-earthness and my determined looking-out-for-you approach.
I've invested heavily in both my personal and professional development over the years — well over £200k and countless hours of learning, healing and growth. It's a joy to be able to pass that wisdom on.
Sessions aren't cheap, what will I gain?
Together, we'll get you tangibly - and positively - moving towards:
- Greater emotional stability and resilience
- A healthier relationship with your thoughts, feelings and needs
- More confidence in your decisions, boundaries and self-expression
- Positive changes in your relationships, work and daily life
- I want you to leave your sessions feeling more peaceful, grounded and empowered.
What about long-term results?
Long-term change is very important to me.
My aim is not only to help you feel better now, but to share tools, skills and insights that you can keep drawing on throughout your life. So, wherever your path takes you, you'll be able to meet future challenges with more resilience, self-compassion, wisdom and trust in yourself.
Can you help me though? There's a LOT
As long as you're willing to roll your sleeves up with me and do some active work, yes!
I'm on a mission to help people discover that inside every place of wounding, or challenge - especially the overwhelming ones - there is a very powerful opportunity. Without those huge hurdles, it's very tempting to just keep on with business as usual. When we know we can't just "keep on keepin on" we realise we have to turn sh*t into manure for our growth. Let's get shovelling together(!) and something braver, something stronger, something wiser and something truly good WILL emerge.
Training, qualifications & experience
My specialist experience
I have built up specialist skills over the past 27 years to best meet the following common needs my clients bring:
Overcoming struggles
- Handling life's uncertainty and upheavals with wisdom and fortitude
- Healing hurt, trauma, loss and heartbreak with compassion and insight
- Resolving relationship worries, abandonment issues, isolation and loneliness, anxious attachment, social and performance anxiety
- Overcoming burnout, high stress, low mood, energy crashes and depression
- Transforming self doubt, OCD, specific fears and phobias, panic attacks, perfectionism
- Navigating the additional challenges of working with a neuro-spicy brain and/or a highly sensitive nervous system, or being in a minority group in your current context - whether that's due to your cultural or religious background or because you identify as LGBTQIA or K
- Freedom from unworkable coping strategies that have now become addictive or excessive for you, whether that's scrolling, emotional eating, people pleasing, workaholism
Helping people thrive
- Build confidence, assertiveness, authenticity and self esteem
- Better family, work, social relationships and communication
- Greater wellbeing, peace and respect towards yourself
- Deeper intimacy, presence and appreciation in partnerships
Seeing results and lasting success
- Overcome avoidance and procrastination with resolve
- Grow in courage, daring, commitment - go to a new level
- Develop resources, skills and a nourishing kind of resilience to maintain success
My aim is for all my clients to move forward, achieve wellbeing and empowerment - and gain maximum value every time we meet.
Registration & Accreditations
- Accredited EMDR Therapist with the EMDR Association UK
- Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (BABCP)
- Registered Occupational Therapist (BSc) with HCPC
- Registered WPA Therapist
- Registered Teacher-Trainer in Lifelong Learning (DTLLS)
Additional training
Alongside my core registrations in Occupational Therapy, CBT and EMDR, for the past three decades I’ve been dedicated to extensive training, study, embodied learning and professional supervision in a wide range of evidence based approaches (my healthy addiction!). No time for social media for me!!
The approaches that my clients consistently give very positive feedback on, and so, I use the most are: Attachment Focused EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts work, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP).
I also have specific training and experience to help people with OCD, CPTSD, PTSD, self criticism, anxiety, depression, burnout, chronic health conditions, high sensitivity and neuro-diversity.
Beyond traditional therapy
I'm interested in the many different ways people heal and thrive. My mind is very open to new ideas and therapies! I’ve deepened my core EMDR and CBT accreditations, with contemporary advances such as interpersonally focused CBT, third wave CBT, Attachment Focused EMDR, EMDR 2.0, The Flash Technique - to help people move forward from trauma, panic and anxiety in ways that best match their nuanced life histories and contexts.
I've explored a wide range of approaches, including Strengths Based Coaching, Voice Dialogue, Creative Therapy, Eco-Psychology, Gestalt, Integrative Relationship Therapy and Somatic Coaching.
I’m delighted to be able to share useful ideas and practices from different disciplines, wherever they support your interests and growth journey.
My geek out!
I love discovering what makes good therapy great. I know, first-hand, that there's a big difference between making a bit of change and making really smashing progress.
I'm a personal and professional development treasure seeker!
I regularly invest in further training, supervision, research and specialist interest groups, as well as walking my talk and addressing blind-spots through my own mentoring, coaching, therapy. I never want a client's progress to be limited by gaps in my knowledge, experience or awareness.
Understanding what helps people create that meaningful, lasting change is one of the things I most enjoy nerding out about. I'll do the research behind the scenes so you don't have to sweat to get the gold for your deeper transformations. Sure, we're likely to do some mining, but I've got a bright torch - let's get in there, get the treasure for your life's success, and get you out into fresh air with it.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or development of CBT. BABCP also provides accreditation for CBT therapists. BABCP accredited members adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics in the Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and are willing to be scrutinised in this adherence as required.
EMDR UK
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
LGBTQIAPK - I welcome people of all gender and sexual orientations and mutually consenting sexual communities to use therapy and coaching with me as a space to safely think through, process, navigate and celebrate topics related to identity and exploration. I see myself as pan sexual and I understand a sense of gender fluidity.
Burnout, exhaustion and fatigue - I have certified training specifically to help people who are struggling with burnout and/or “compassion fatigue” in their personal or professional roles. If this applies to you, I want you to truly heal and not just mask your symptoms to try to keep going - although I get that you might need to do this too. We just need to ensure "Resilience" isnt mis-applied in a toxic way to force function keep on keepin on. You wouldn't keep whipping a pet. Why your own body?
HSP as a neurodiversity and therapy for highly sensitive nervous systems - As someone who identifies as HSP, I understand the challenges and gifts that go with being an HSP and the importance of regulating the nervous system in well attuned ways.
OCD - I have completed many certified trainings in OCD specifically, using ACT, CBT, EMDR, integrative therapy and Jeff Schwartz's four step model that has helped me so much. I am passionate about making ERP as heartful and playful as possible so that overcoming OCD doesn't feel anywhere near as terrifying as you might have experienced elsewhere.
AEDP and FAP for loneliness, isolation, loss, love and courage - "the undoing of aloneness" is a key part of the wholehearted therapy approach of AEDP. FAP - Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (despite the complicated name) is a great, straightforward framework for precise targeting of the interpersonal qualities you'd like to develop. I work in a warm, encouraging, relational way with AEDP and FAP approaches, as well as IFS and Attachment Focused EMDR, to help people heal relational wounding and develop more confidence, strength and skillfulness to develop and deepen their relationships - with themselves and others
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£125.00 - £150.00
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Flexible choice
My fee is flexible according to the length of session you’d like to book, and you can work with me at whatever frequency suits you.
Fees for online sessions, and in person walk and talk sessions in GL6/GL7
£150 for 50 minutes
£180 for 60 minutes
£210 for 70 minutes
Fees for (Self funded, camera off) phone sessions
£125 for 50 minutes
£155 for 60 minutes.
£185 for 70 minutes
My phone sessions are offered at slightly lower rate to encourage you to get off the screen, save your hard working eyes and discover the unique benefits phone sessions bring. They can make it easier to work with what you need in the moment. You might choose to get cosy, go for a walk, or even get some art materials out for a play — when's the last time you did that?!
Working on the phone makes it easy for us to also work in very practical ways. Perhaps that's finally sending THE message, tackling a task you've been avoiding, getting an assignment over the line, or facing an OCD fear with encouragement and guidance. We can make overcoming avoidance surprisingly creative, energising and even... fun!
Feel free book a one off session to experience this for yourself and take it from there.
Short 'n' sweet sessions
Once we've established a solid foundation together, you're welcome to book shorter phone sessions for regular support, accountability, skills top-ups or a motivational boost during a wobbly week.
These sessions are available online or on the phone as:
20 minutes – £50
30 minutes – £75
40 minutes – £100
Healing retreats in Gloucestershire GL6
These range from £450-£900 for immersive 1-1 healing in one weekend, where I help you get to the other side of whatever you want to shift swiftly while keeping things really grounded and gentle on your nervous system through the wonderful sanctuary space and gardens you are so welcome to draw deep rest and nourishment from - especially good if you're suffering from burnout.
When I work
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Further information
A worthwhile investment
My aim is to not only help you create meaningful change in sustainable ways, but I’m on the lookout for how I can weave in opportunities for your deep transformation across all the key life areas that matter – health and vitality, work and career, key relationships and wider community, our sense of self and our sense of spirit. An obvious bonus? The benefits often extend far beyond the issue that first brought you to therapy.
I'm on a mission to help people discover that deep inside every place of deep wounding, or massive challenge there is an opportunity. For something braver, something stronger, something wiser and something truly good to emerge.
WPA clients
Good news if you're with WPA: I’m a WPA approved therapist. I've worked with WPA for many years and have a fast track process to get you started with your sessions. I can also help you make the most of your WPA policy, for whatever frequency, length and format of session that suits you.
If WPA is covering your sessions, all sessions will be charged at my standard full session rate. I'll bill WPA directly, no cost to you.
I love working with WPA as their 5 star rating aligns with my own values for a really top quality, flexible service. Do find out about your mental health cover with WPA as it may be up to £75,000 per year! If so I do hope you'll take up the once in a lifetime opportunity to make a huge difference to your personal, professional and relationship success - for free!
