Ellen Vintner

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MBACP, Counsellor, Adults and Young People
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Life can take us by surprise, and I understand the importance of finding the right person to help you navigate through those hard times. I offer a warm, patient, down to earth approach, so that together we can explore areas you may be finding confusing, challenging, or sad.

Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can be so confused that we just don't know where to start. Well-meaning friends and family want to help, but we can't find the words, or maybe it feels too personal to share with them. When we do open up then perhaps we get unwanted advice, or we see them worry and treat us differently, which just makes it worse. 

By contrast, I offer a confidential space where you can talk through your thoughts, feelings, and issues within a supportive and accepting environment. The first counselling session can seem daunting, however seeking help is sometimes the bravest and strongest thing we can do. We can then work together to bring clarity to your situation, perhaps discover new perspectives, try new strategies or explore new ways of coping to help you move towards the person you want to be and the life you want to live.

Whether I am working with adults or young people, the foundation of my work is Person Centred, with non-judgemental listening, respect, honesty and good humour at its heart. I believe that within each of us there exists a positive drive towards growth physically, emotionally, psychologically, intellectually and spiritually. My aim is to provide an environment of empathy and understanding which can help that drive within you to flourish. 

In my work it will be you, as the client, who decides what you want to talk about, think about and work on and I will support you on that journey of discovery. This is a respectful stance that acknowledges your abilities, rather then seeing myself as the expert in your life, because when we can find the answers for ourselves, then they will have more meaning, and the results will be more long lasting. 

People of all ages, races, heritage, religion, gender, and sexuality are welcomed in my practice. 

Training, qualifications & experience

In addition to my private practice, I also work in schools providing counselling to staff and students, group facilitation, peer support groups, psycho-education, teacher professional development presentations and workshops. I have further experience working within a BACP accredited community counselling agency providing online and in person counselling to adults and young people.

If it is appropriate and beneficial then we can utilise my background in the creative arts to enhance our work allowing for greater expression, communication and connection.

My academic qualifications include CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and a Post Graduate Diploma from the Royal Northern College of Music. I engage in continuous professional development and additional training to ensure my practice is up to date and relevant. Recent courses have included Anxiety, Attachment, Eating Disorders, Group Facilitation, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Self-harm, Sexual Abuse and The Teenage Brain.

I have undertaken additional training in:

  • Working with Adolescents
  • Working with Children
  • Working Online

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) with an enhanced DBS certificate and appropriate insurance in place. I am also registered with the Information Commissioners Office for GDPR purposes. 

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£55.00 - £60.00
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors

Additional information

The first counselling session may seem daunting, that is quite normal, so my aim is to offer a warm, comfortable, safe environment where you can quickly feel at ease.

We can work together in person or online, and I offer both long-term and short-term work as necessary. 

Fees are £55 for adults and the sessions are 1 hour.

Fees are £60 for children and young people aged under 18 years old and the sessions are 50 minutes.

I offer limited spaces with reduced fees for clients facing hardship. 

I also offer discounts to members of the Musicians Union and Equity. Feel free to enquire further.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Further information

It is important that you find a counsellor who feels right for you, and that we both feel we can work together. Therefore, once we are in contact I will arrange for us to have a free 20 minute telephone conversation.

In this introductory phone call you can, if you wish, share some brief details on why you are seeking counselling. We can also discuss how I work and what you can expect in our first session. My aim is to put you at your ease and offer an opportunity for you to ask me questions so that you can make a decision which is right for you.

I am also happy to offer referrals where necessary so that you can find the help you need.

I work from a private, designated room within my home which is designed to be warm and welcoming. There is ample parking which is free.

Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

There is one small step up to the front door. There is a righthand turn into the therapy room from the hallway that might be tricky for some wheelchairs. I am happy to have a trial run for accessibility before a first appointment.

Online platforms

Zoom