Ellen Penny-Brookes, BACP
Ellen Penny-Brookes is a counsellor who helps people facing depression, anxiety and stress.
About Ellen
Ellen Penny-Brookes is a counsellor who helps people facing depression, anxiety and stress. She offers a calm, respectful approach and aims to make the first steps feel manageable. Her style suits those who want thoughtful, steady support rather than quick fixes.
Ellen trained at the University of Essex, gaining a Masters degree with distinction in Psychodynamic Counselling. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Person Centred Counselling from the University of East Anglia.
Background and approach
Ellen is registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, BACP. In sessions she uses psychodynamic ideas alongside person-centred ways of working. That means she pays attention to early life experiences and current relationships, while keeping the conversation focused on your priorities.
She listens for patterns that organise feelings and behaviour, and helps people notice how those patterns show up now. Ellen works with adults on a wide range of concerns including low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, trauma, grief, burnout and eating or sleep problems. She also supports people dealing with ADHD, compassion fatigue and identity issues connected to gender and sexuality.
Therapy is offered face to face and online by video, phone, live chat or messaging. Ellen aims to tailor each session to what feels most useful, whether that is tracking emotions, looking at past experiences, or trying new ways of coping in daily life.
Registration
| Body | Registration number | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| BACP | 385502 | August 2026 |
Registration details are as listed on the counsellor's public profile. You can check any number with the registering body.
Sessions and payment
Sessions are held online through our partner platform, by video, phone or messaging depending on the counsellor.
Costs are shown on the partner platform before you commit. If cost is a concern, ask about reduced-fee options.
Focus areas and approaches
What Ellen works with
Everything Ellen lists, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Ellen lists
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
Online support
Client-centred work focuses on the person in front of the counsellor. The therapist listens without judgement and follows your lead, helping you find your own solutions and sense of agency. This style suits people who want a gentle, respectful space to make sense of what matters to them.
Finding the right approach is a joint process. Ellen will talk with you about your needs, goals and preferences and will adapt techniques as those priorities become clearer. The aim is to agree a way of working that feels practical and doable for you.
Online therapy gives flexibility around work, family and travel. Video calls offer face-to-face conversation when meeting in person is difficult. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a busy day. Live chat or text messaging can suit brief check-ins, ongoing reflections or people who prefer writing. These options let you match the format to the moment and to what helps you engage with therapy.
Frequently asked
What kinds of problems does Ellen work with?
Ellen helps people with depression, anxiety, stress and related issues such as low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, grief, trauma, eating and sleeping problems.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She combines psychodynamic thinking with person-centred listening and practical cognitive approaches, aiming to notice patterns from the past and link them to present difficulties.
What is her professional background?
She has five years of practice and a Masters degree with distinction in Psychodynamic Counselling from the University of Essex, plus a Postgraduate Certificate in Person Centred Counselling.
Where is she based and what credentials does she hold?
She works in the United Kingdom and is registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, BACP.
Can I see her if I live in another country?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging as well as in-person consultations.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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