Dr Elena Bonsignore

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist available for face to face appointments in Liverpool Street as well as Telephone and Online Counselling Sessions. 

I work with adults,  and couples and use a range of therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Compassion Focused Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy. I create an individualised treatment programme for each of my patients based on what they need and feel comfortable with, and taking into consideration what is proven to bring the fastest and most longest lasting relief for their particular difficulty.

I have over twenty years of experience and am registered as a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with The Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).

I am experienced in helping people to resolve the majority of problems that cause emotional distress and discomfort including (but not limited to):

• Addiction
• Alcohol Problems
• Anger Issues
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Counselling for Carers
• Child & Teenager Counselling
• Depression & Low Mood
• Eating Disorders
• Family Therapy
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Relationship Problems
• Stress

Services Offered

I also offer the following services:

• Bereavement Counselling
• Child Counselling
• Expert Witness
• Family Counselling
• Marriage Counselling
• Medico-Legal Assessment and Treatment
• Specialist Eating Disorder Counselling

My Philosophy

Modern life can be challenging. We can easily feel overwhelmed by our difficulties and think that everything bad is our fault. Having a safe space to tell your story is the first step in how therapy can help.

Understanding how our brains work, and how illnesses such as depression and anxiety develop and keep a hold over us, is an extremely helpful step to release us from self-blame. This understanding can give us the freedom to find effective ways to manage and overcome our difficulties and start to look after ourselves.

My Approach

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with over 22 years of experience working in the NHS. I’ve helped people from all with over 22 years of experience working in the NHS. I’ve helped people from all backgrounds, presenting with many different difficulties from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, work stress and obsessive thoughts to name but a few.

My training as a Counselling Psychologist has helped me to combine evidence-based approaches with a solid therapeutic alliance with patients. My approach draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness and Compassion Focused Therapy. I am also an accredited Interpersonal Therapy practitioner. IPT is a NICE recommended approach for depression in the context of loss, life changes, relationship disputes and bereavement.

In our therapy sessions, we will work collaboratively to understand the difficulties affecting you and devise a plan to help manage them, reduce distress and implement positive changes to enjoy life better according to your goals.

My Motivation

Psychological distress can feel overwhelming and isolating, but therapy can be very helpful. I consider it is a privilege to be able to share patients’ stories and help them to implement change. It is very moving and inspirational to witness positive change in people’s life and this is what motivates me.

A Little More About Me!

I can deliver therapy in English and Italian. I enjoy comedy, dance and art as a spectator and find it helpful to focus on creative human endeavours to create positive experiences. I am very interested in mindfulness and do practice, though I could of course be more constant!

I offer everyone a Free of Charge Pre-Assessment Telephone Consultation

The fees below are for a 50 minute face to face, telephone or video counselling session.

Self Funded Treatment

Fees £130 - £220. These are dependent on circumstances and situations.

Health Insurance

Most national and international Private Healthcare companies are accepted including (but not limited to):

• Bupa Global
• Allianz
• Cigna
• Healix
• Aviva
• WPA

and more…

It may be possible to use your private health insurance to cover the cost or part of the cost of your appointments. Each healthcare provider have slightly different policies but most of them are happy for you to approach us directly in the first instance.

Some private healthcare companies require a referral from your GP in order to access your policy. GPs are often happy to provide a referral following a phone consultation instead of a traditional face to face appointment in the surgery as it is more time efficient.

With the above, a quick call to your healthcare provider should allow them clarify these details.

It is worth noting that not all policies will cover the full cost of your treatment. We will advise you of the availability of healthcare appointments, and any cost implications in your initial enquiry.

Some healthcare providers have fees which are different to our self funding rates detailed above. If these are less than our own rate we have to ask that the shortfall is made up by the patient. Please just remember to tell us who your provider is as soon as possible to avoid any confusion when booking.

''I would just say that what seems like such a simple teaching of being kinder to yourself can have as many layers and significances as you allow it to have and has the power to start a process that will not only benefit you but those around you too.

I found Elena to be flexible and positive, a great listener who does not approach her work with a cold detachment but rather a sensitive presence making the process more enjoyable than it can be.''

-Tim (Liverpool Street)