Elaine Brown

I am currently offering online sessions via Zoom. 

This has allowed more flexibility for my clients. 

I am available online throughout the week, as below:

Tuesday morning, afternoon, evening - last session 20.30

Wednesday morning, afternoon, evening - last session 20.30

Thursday morning, afternoon, evening - last session 20.30

Friday morning - last session 11.15

Saturday morning/early afternoon - last session 14.30

I am an experienced relationship counsellor and have in excess of 4,000+ clinical hours supporting both couples and individuals. 

I am very aware that deciding to have counselling is a big decision to make whether as a couple or an individual.  It is a journey that can be a difficult, certainly a reflective one but hopefully also a rewarding and empowering one.

As a Relate trained counsellor, I particularly draw on the systemic and psychodynamic theoretical perspectives.  However, I also understand the importance of being client-led, listening to the family scripts and narratives, with a person-centred focus.

Counselling can be very emotionally draining at times.  I am very aware of saying this but I feel it is important for you to know this.  We can of course discuss this further and more in depth at the initial assessment and ongoing sessions.

Your mental well-being and safety are of utmost importance to me.  I promise that if I do not have the necessary tools or expertise to help you, I will suggest different options to you in finding more appropriate ongoing help and support.

My intention as a counsellor is to endeavour to support you in your journey with empathy, kindness, integrity and respect.

Counselling allows you a space, place and time to reflect on your life journey so far, working in the here and now but also moving towards the future having had the benefit of counselling.  To empower you and enhance your onward life journey whatever age you may be from 18 to 90 years young!  

My experience over the years with the many different and unique individuals that I have worked with, supported and cared about.  All of this has led me to a greater understanding of the impact of the many systems that affect us throughout our lives.

Wherever we live or grew up in the world these systems include:

Social, historical, economical, environmental and political events which all impact and shape our lives. Whatever your gender, ethnicity, people with seen/or unseen disability, race, sexual identity, spiritual and religious belief or none all impact our narratives.

The family systems and networks of our original care providers whatever form that may be including same sex, extended family, carers, foster or adopted

Schooling, teachers, the education system, our peers and friends

The working environment, our work colleagues, boss, leadership team or CEO

Current family life and friends that we choose to call family

All of these have a significant effect on our lives, mental health and well-being some good experiences and maybe some not so good.

Let's talk about this, it is good for you to talk, for us to explore, be curious together in a safe supported space where you feel able to share your feelings, thoughts, concerns and worries. 

Please know I will be listening to you, supporting and guiding you.

What happens is that we firstly meet for an assessment.

With Couples Counselling in particular this can be a number of sessions that also allows you both to have an individual session during this assessment period. This is where I am making sure that the counselling I can offer is right and appropriate for you both and importantly that you feel comfortable with me.

If I feel that I am not the right counsellor for you.  We would discuss this further.  I would suggest and signpost you to other therapies or counselling that might be more useful and appropriate for you at that time.

At the start of your counselling journey it is preferable to have weekly sessions, although I am very aware of the impact on finances.  We can therefore of course can discuss having fortnightly sessions as an option.  This actually also allows more time to reflect what has been talked about and complete any exercises that we may have discussed and agreed upon especially when working within the couple dynamic.