About Grace Ellen Therapy
How I work
My aim is to offer a space where you can feel safe to work through things at your own pace and be fully yourself, without judgement or expectation. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply curious about your inner world, I’m here to support you as you explore what you need.
I am a Gestalt counsellor, which means I pay close attention to what’s happening in the present moment – your thoughts, feelings, sensations and reactions. We may look at your past, because it can shape so much of how you think, feel and behave today, but the focus is on how those experiences are affecting you now.
I work collaboratively and adapt to what each person needs. You choose what to bring, and I’ll meet you there. At times I may offer challenge, especially if you feel stuck, but always with care and respect.
Curiosity and experimentation play a big part in how I work. We might explore different perspectives, try out new ways of relating to a situation, or use creative tools like drawing or objects if that feels helpful. I also draw on Humanistic and Transactional Analysis approaches when they support the work, though Gestalt remains at the core of my practice.
About Me
I came to counselling through my own experience of being in crisis. Sitting in a room with someone who accepted me, didn’t judge me, and helped me understand myself with honesty and compassion, had a lasting impact on my life. I began to see myself more clearly, and that shift sparked a curiosity about people, psychology and trauma that has stayed with me ever since.
As I grew, I started to notice the patterns we all fall into – the ways we protect ourselves, react when we’re hurting, or repeat old stories without realising. I became more able to understand and accept the many ways people cope, including my own.
Counselling gave me the clarity and support I needed to make meaningful changes in my life, and that experience shapes the way I work today. I know the difference it can make because I have lived it.
The values that guide my work
Top of the list for me are honesty, acceptance and collaboration. I really value the courage it takes to show up, to be vulnerable, and to keep going even when things feel difficult. I believe that everyone can grow and change when they have space to understand themselves and their history more clearly.
I aim to create a space where you feel safe enough to bring every messy, complicated, painful or joyful thought into the room. You don’t need to present yourself in any particular way. The approach we take in each session is guided by what you bring and what you need at the time.
People I work with
People from many different backgrounds and ways of being find their way to my practice. Some come because they feel overwhelmed or stretched thin, some because they’ve been told they’re “too much” or worry they’re “not enough”, and others simply want a space where they don’t have to hold everything together. You don’t need to know exactly what you need yet, most people don’t.
Many of the people I work with are neurodivergent, including those with ADHD or autism. I adapt my approach to each person and welcome different ways of thinking, communicating and processing.
If you are unsure whether your experiences fit within the areas I work with, you may find it helpful to look at that section on my Services page, though you don’t need to see yourself in any list to reach out. An introductory session gives us both space to explore whether working together feels like a good fit, with no pressure to continue if it doesn’t feel right for you.
Training and qualifications
- Level 5 DipHE in Gestalt Counselling
- Levels 2 & 3 in Humanistic Counselling Skills
- Transactional Analysis 101 Certificate
- Certificate in Online & Telephone Counselling
- Complex Trauma Certification Training Levels 1 & 2
- Currently undertaking further training in psychosexual and relationship therapy
I take part in ongoing continuing professional development, deepening my understanding through regular training, supervision, and study so that my work remains supportive, well‑informed and up‑to‑date.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and am committed to working to the highest professional and ethical standards in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework.
I am also a student member of the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) and am committed to working in accordance with the COSRT Code of Ethics and Practice.
I hold enhanced DBS clearance and am fully insured.
