Ellen (Elly) Cookson
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Right now, you may be feeling heavily burdened with a painful history, or in fear of what is to come. If you’re curious about what it would be like to have connection with someone outside of your circumstances, away from the roles you feel you need to play and the responsibilities you carry, I warmly welcome you to contact me.
I have 10+ years' experience working in therapeutic roles. The diversity of my work has given me a profound insight into the healing power of a therapeutic relationship; one that is secure, trusted, nurturing and freeing. I have witnessed this to offer relief, depth of understanding and clarity.
My whole-hearted intention is to offer a space for these qualities to emerge, so that even when things feel messy and overwhelming, you can experience some nourishment and reassurance. As a therapist, I ensure this process can be healing by staying open, curious and attentive, so that you can express your true experience.
A little about my approach:
I trust in listening to what might be happening in the present moment. This can include gently noticing what is happening within the body. Our minds can often tell us critical, repetitive and untrue stories about ourselves that keep us stuck. Noticing other parts of ourselves, such as feelings, energy and bodily sensations can give us more freedom to move out of unhelpful cycles. This way of being with your experience can help build a sense of empowerment, autonomy and confidence.
A few examples of what I can support with are:
- Loss and grief
- Anxiety, overwhelm and feelings of panic
- Intrusive thoughts
- Difficulties in recognising and communicating emotions
- Sexuality
- Feelings of anger or rage
- Postnatal depression and/or anxiety
- Childhood Trauma
- Sexual Trauma
What happens to us and then how we are impacted can be deeply complex. Even if none of these listed issues have directly impacted you, I welcome you to contact me. It may be that what you’re going through feels too big and confusing, making it hard to know exactly what is happening – my commitment is that you can feel connection and warmth amidst the discomfort.
Training, qualifications & experience
Specialisms:
My specialism is supporting those who have experienced or are currently experiencing violence and abuse in relationships. I have worked in both educational settings as well as therapeutic spaces to support those who have endured the heartache, fear and confusion when living in harmful relationships or having grown up in abusive and frightening homes.
More recently, I have expanded my experience to work with those who have caused harm in relationships. This process is held within a framework that challenges negative beliefs and perspectives about ourselves, others and the world, which can lead to harmful behaviours. Therapy can be a crucial step in developing a deeper awareness, leading to more compassionate and loving choices and behaviours.
Qualifications and Training:
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (2 years)
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (1 year)
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (1 year)
- I am committed to attending regular Continued Professional Development training and workshops
- I am committed to regular in-depth supervision in my private and employed work.
Member organisations
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
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer concessionary rates for students, those on low-income or in receipt of benefits.
When I work
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Further information
Next steps:
I offer a free 20 minute conversation, this is to provide an opportunity for you to hear my voice and perhaps get more a sense of whether it feels right for you to book in an initial session with me. Within the first session, I will ask you questions about what you wish to gain from therapy, and you are very welcome to ask me any questions, too. It feels good to start by getting to know each other so that you can begin to feel safe and secure. If, for any reason, my approach doesn't feel fitting to your needs, I will of course be happy to signpost elsewhere.
