Elena Brogi
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Since 2001 I have worked with individuals, couples and families, acquiring experience in many areas including: trauma, grief, chronic pain, eating disorders, drug and alcohol addiction, depression, anxiety disorders and phobias, separation.
I work using different approaches depending on the client’s symptoms and difficulties.
Systemic-relational approach
In this approach, the person is considered interwoven with the relational context: functional relationships and healthy communication are fundamental to a person’s well-being.
People grow, develop and change. A life event might not be “critical” in itself but in the way it interacts with one’s background and personal characteristics. It is essential to explore these differences and welcome them in a safe environment.
We may begin by looking at one’s present situation in the here and now followed by an exploration of the significant individual and family life cycles, particularly critical transition points connected to life events and developmental tasks (such as births, losses, separations).
The systemic-relational approach is therefore based on the observation of the:
– Phase of the life cycle of the individual, couple, family;
– Function of the symptom or distress/suffering (why now, why me?);
– Quality of relationships and communication;
– Tri-generational narration (grandparents, parents, children).
In addition to dialogue, I also use specific systemic techniques such as body sculptures, narrative /photographic genogram and collage.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR is an acronym for ‘Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing’. EMDR is a powerful psychological treatment method that was developed by an American clinical psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro, in the 1980s.
Since then a wealth of research has been conducted demonstrating its benefits in treating psychological trauma arising from experiences as diverse as war-related experiences, childhood sexual and/or physical abuse or neglect, natural disasters, assault, surgical trauma, road traffic accidents and workplace accidents. Since its original development, EMDR is also increasingly used to help individuals with other issues (chronic pain, complicated grief, addictions, phobias) and performance anxiety.
EMDR therapy is a scientifically supported treatment for PTSD recommended by numerous organisations internationally (e.g., World Health Organization, 2013). It is characterised by standardised procedures and protocols that include a bilateral sensorial stimulation such as repeated eye movements, aimed at processing and working through memories of trauma and other adverse life experiences.
EMDR utilises the natural healing ability of the brain and allows it to heal psychological problems at the same rate as the rest of the body heals physical wounds. Because EMDR allows the mind and body to heal at the same rate, treatment can be rapid. The number of sessions required for EMDR treatment, however, will vary according to the complexity of the issues being dealt with. In general, the more isolated the traumatic memory being treated, the shorter the treatment tends to be.
(source: EMDR Europe, EMDR UK & Ireland)
Psychological therapy can be useful during difficult times in life (e.g. relationship with one’s self and others; conflicts in work or school environment) either when psychological symptoms emerge (panic attacks, anxiety, depression, etc.) or when people would like to improve their psychological well-being, by increasing their self-awareness, self-esteem and self-confidence.
In the initial consultation, I will define, together with you, the most suitable pathway to follow, according to the needs and objectives for both the short and long-term achievements you are after.
My aim is to create a therapeutic relationship with clients in a safe, confidential and welcoming environment, where they can face their difficulties freely.
I have developed a flexible approach to deal with very complex and diverse situations, encouraging changes in the emotions, thoughts, attitudes, behaviours and relationships that cause distress. I help people to recover balance and psychological well-being by building resources to enable them to achieve their potential.
Training, qualifications & experience
- 2020-23 Frank Corrigan's DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting) Training
- 2019 EMDR Children and Adolescents Training (Core/Level 1), London, UK
- 2019 EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner
- 2016 ESTSS (European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies) Certificate in Psychotraumatology, London, UK
- 2015-16 EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Training, London, UK
- 2009 Training course in Forensic Psychology “Technical Consultancy and Psychological Evaluation”.
- 2008 Postgraduate course in Family and Systemic-Relational Psychotherapy at C.S.A.P.R. (Centro Studi e Applicazione della Psicologia Relazionale), Prato and Rome, IT
- 2002 Postgraduate course “Social Worker in Adoption and Fostering”
- 2000 MD in Psychology, University of Florence, IT
I began my postgraduate training in 2000 with the Italian League for the Fight against Cancer, where I dealt with issues related to palliative care and smoking. As a group facilitator, I worked with parents of adolescents facing drug or gambling addiction.
Since 2001, I have provided individual psychological counselling and support.
My training in Family and Systemic-Relational Psychotherapy has allowed me to work with couples and families within the Family Therapy Centre of the Italian NHS for 11 years (as a trainee, professional volunteer and independent practitioner).
I have contributed to the implementation of an innovative project dealing with conflicted families undergoing separation, with children at risk.
During this period, I co-founded the Professional Association of Psychologists Famiglie al Centro, where I collaborated with several other professionals such as GPs, Paediatricians, Psychiatrists, Nutritionists, Physiotherapists, and Family Lawyers acquiring experience in many areas, including:
– Eating disorders, obesity, body image
– Psychosomatic disorders and Chronic pain
– Mood disorders
– Anxiety disorders
– Addictions
– Work-related stress
– Dysfunctional families and family crisis in different stages of the life cycle (e.g.pregnancy, birth, bereavement, retirement, separation and divorce), step-families, single-parent families
– Parenting counselling
– Psychotherapy with couples (high conflict, lack of communication, separation)
– Adoption and fostering
– Domestic violence
I was an expert witness for the Court of Florence, specialising in cases of separation and child custody.
I also have experience in education, both as a psychologist (providing supervision to teachers in primary and secondary schools, psychological counselling to parents as well as interventions to deal with bullying behaviour) and as a teacher (I taught Social Sciences in secondary school for 12 years).
During my clinical practice, I provided both direct supervision and indirect clinical and professional supervision to trainees, less experienced practitioner psychologists as well as teachers of primary and secondary schools.
Since the beginning of my training in EMDR in 2015, I have worked mainly with trauma.
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 HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£110.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
When I work
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Further information
Professional Affiliations
HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council) registered Counselling Psychologist
Chartered Member of BPS (British Psychological Society)
Member of AFT (Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice)
Member of EMDR Association UK & Ireland
Member of EMDR Europe
Member of ESTSS (European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies)