Sharon Ellis

Are you exhausted from trying to cope in a world that doesn't always seem designed for you?

Perhaps you're struggling with anxiety, overwhelm, low self-esteem or burnout. Maybe you're autistic or ADHD, suspect you may be neurodivergent, or find that everyday life feels harder than it seems to for other people. You may be a parent supporting a neurodivergent child, navigating SEND, or a student trying to manage disability, mental health and the demands of university.

I'm Sharon Ellis, an NCPS Accredited Professional Counsellor and Psychotherapist based in Blackpool, offering online counselling across the UK and home visits within the Blackpool area.

You don't need a formal diagnosis to work with me. If you're waiting for an assessment, questioning whether you may be neurodivergent, or simply struggling with things that don't seem to make sense, we can focus on what you're experiencing now, rather than waiting for a label.

My approach is warm, collaborative and person-centred. I combine this with my training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), adapting the way we work to your individual needs, communication style and circumstances.

I have more than 17 years' experience supporting children, young people, adults, parents and carers across counselling, SEND, education and disability settings. Alongside my counselling practice, I have extensive experience supporting disabled and neurodivergent university students as a specialist mentor.

I understand that asking for help can be difficult. You don't have to arrive with everything worked out, and you don't need to know exactly what to say. We can start wherever you are.

Who I support

Neurodivergent adults and young people

Support with ADHD, autism, AuDHD, masking, sensory overwhelm, executive functioning difficulties, emotional regulation, self-esteem and burnout.

People questioning whether they may be neurodivergent

You don't need a diagnosis to explore your experiences. We can look at what you're experiencing and how it affects your everyday life.

Parents and families

Supporting parents who are struggling with school anxiety, SEND, assessment waiting lists, emotional overwhelm, or the challenges of supporting a neurodivergent child or young person.

University students and young adults

I have extensive experience supporting disabled and neurodivergent university students with academic pressure, organisation, executive functioning, confidence, independence, motivation, procrastination, loneliness and the transition into adult life.

People living with disability or adapting to sight loss

My experience includes supporting people and families adjusting to disability, visual impairment, sensory loss and significant life changes.

Adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress or burnout

You may simply feel that you're no longer coping as well as you used to. Counselling can provide space to understand what's happening and begin finding ways forward.

My approach

I work primarily from a Person-Centred perspective, incorporating CBT therapeutic skills where appropriate.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we will work collaboratively to understand what you need from counselling.

For neurodivergent clients, this may include considering sensory needs, communication preferences, masking, executive functioning, emotional regulation and the impact of trying to meet expectations that may not fit the way you naturally function.

My aim is not to change who you are. It is to help you better understand yourself, develop useful strategies where appropriate, and find ways of managing life that feel realistic and sustainable for you.

I provide an LGBTQ+ friendly and affirmative environment, where your identity is respected and your experiences are taken seriously.

I am also committed to accessibility and to working in accordance with the principles of the Equality Act 2010.

What happens when you contact me?

Starting counselling can feel daunting, particularly if you've never had therapy before.

You don't need to know what to say.

Our first session gives us time to talk about what's happening for you, what you'd like support with and what you hope counselling might help with. We'll discuss how we can work together and complete the necessary paperwork.

There is no expectation that you arrive with a perfectly organised explanation of what's wrong.

We start wherever you are.

If you're unsure whether I'm the right counsellor for you, you're welcome to get in touch and tell me a little about what you're looking for. We can then establish whether I can offer the type of support you need.

Thinking about counselling?

You don't need to have everything figured out before you get in touch.

Perhaps you've been coping for a long time and have reached the point where things feel overwhelming. Perhaps you're waiting for an assessment, struggling to understand yourself, supporting someone else, or simply feeling that you need some space to talk.

You don't need to know exactly what to say.

If you'd like to find out whether counselling with me could be helpful, please get in touch using the Email Me or Call Me options on my profile.

Tell me a little about what you're looking for and whether you're interested in online counselling or a Blackpool home visit, and we can take it from there.

Sharon

General Counselling & Neurotypical Clients

Insurance Affiliations & General Practice
I am fully registered and approved to provide online therapeutic services to clients using private health insurance. I am a recognised affiliate provider with the following major health insurance networks and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs):
Bupa
Aviva
Allianz
WPA
Vitality

Accessibility

I aim to make counselling as accessible as possible and can discuss individual accessibility or communication needs before therapy begins.

I offer:

Online video counselling

Telephone counselling

Home visits within the stated Blackpool area

Google Meet

Microsoft Teams

WhatsApp

I also have Signalong/Makaton skills and specialist experience relating to disability, visual impairment, assistive technology and accessibility.

Fees & appointments

Flexible therapy options

£60 per 60-minute session

I currently offer:

Online counselling – UK-wide

Video or telephone appointments

Home visits – Blackpool

Available within approximately a 20-minute radius of FY4, subject to availability and suitability.

Appointments are currently available weekdays between 9am and 4pm.

I accept Bupa, Vitality, Allianz, Aviva and WPA referrals.

A client agreement needs to be completed before counselling begins. For online counselling, documents can be transferred by email.

Online banking is required for private-session payments.