Ellie Finch

- children and young people
- adults
- couples
- families
- parent carers

Because I am trained to work with children and adults, individuals, couples and families I offer the following services in my practice. (When you make your initial enquiry with me, we will set up an initial consultation and I will think with you about which service/s might be best for you and your family):

FAMILY COUNSELLING
Frequently parents contact me when a child in the family is showing signs of depression or anxiety. When a child is struggling like this it can often be about something the family as a whole is facing. Family counselling can help your family to bring these difficulties to the surface in a safe space so that you can work through them together and find new, more positive ways of being a family.
My belief is that you as the parent know what’s best for your child. I see my role as supporting you to be a ‘good enough’ parent (no one needs to be perfect and no one needs that pressure on themselves to be perfect). This isn’t parent coaching (though, there are lots of great parent coaches out there), but an opportunity to explore at a deep level what might be going on for your family.
It’s not always the whole family that attends, sometimes the work might be between one parent and a child, sometimes between siblings, sometimes it can be helpful for grandparents, carers, and friends to be involved. Families are all different and how we work together will depend on your unique needs.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING FOR PARENTS
This is an opportunity to explore, in a safe and non-judgemental space, who you are as an individual, what is important to you, and how to work through the challenges you are facing. I use my skills in relationship and family counselling to help you to think about who you are in relation to your partner and/or family members – this can help highlight important elements of your life and what might be holding you back and how to move forward.

RELATIONSHIP/COUPLES COUNSELLING FOR PARENTS
This is a space for partners to explore their relationship together, work through issues that you are being faced with, understand each other better and improve physical and emotional intimacy. Working on your relationship often can have a positive effect on your family as a whole and your children’s well-being. I offer a space for parents to work on their relationships, be they couples or multi-partnered. Relationship/couples counselling is different from parent coaching which is more directive.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Sometimes a child or young person needs their own individual and confidential space with a counsellor to explore the issues they are facing, to deepen their awareness of their emotions and how to cope with them, as well as to develop ways to improve their relationships.
Not all children are up for engaging in standard talking therapy. That’s why I use video games, digital sandtrays and other digital platforms in my practice, so that children and young people are able to express themselves in ways that are comfortable, familiar and engaging to them. I offer real-time text message counselling as well as phone/voice and video counselling and this can also help engage reluctant children who might be anxious about video calls.
I love what I do and I have spent the past decade understanding and finding the best way to support young people. I work at a deep level which means that I will get to the heart of what is going on for your child and help them to make sense of what is going on for them so that they are empowered to find their own way through their problems. I offer your child a confidential space to share how they are feeling and to explore what is going on in their world. I can support them to make sense of the things that are troubling them and find a way to share their feelings with the important people in their lives such as you, their parent.
I am very experienced at building a strong relationship with the young people I work with. In addition, my relationship with you as a parent is also really important to me. I offer an initial session with you and your child so that we can establish altogether how your child and I will work together. I can also meet you separately at first if you prefer. In addition, I offer optional review sessions, where appropriate, which you are invited to so that your child can share their progress with you.

PARENTS, SIBLINGS AND FAMILIES OF CHILDREN ADDITIONAL NEEDS: SPECIAL NEEDS, DISABILITIES AND COMPLEX MEDICAL CONDITIONS
As well as being a parent of a child with additional needs myself, I have had specialist training in working with parents and siblings of children with special needs, disabilities and complex medical conditions.

A personal message for parents of children with additional needs:

Perhaps you are stressed, tired, lonely, anxious or finding you sometimes just snap.
Perhaps you are struggling with depression and dark thoughts.
Perhaps you are finding yourself arguing with your partner more and more. Perhaps you have had to give up work to look after your child and have lost your sense of identity away from being a parent.
You may often find yourself wading through appointments and paperwork to do with your child’s health and education needs.
And if you are, I can tell you I have been there as I am a parent of a child with additional needs myself. I have gone through my own journey and found support and strength through counselling too. I may not have experienced the exact same situation as you, but I can offer you a non-judgmental and compassionate space to share your story.
Imagine having a space to make sense of all your fears and frustrations.
Imagine rediscovering your relationship with your children and your partner. Imagine feeling empowered to support your child.
Imagine getting yourself back and rediscovering who you are and what makes you happy.
Having a child with additional needs in your family is tough. You don’t need to do this on your own. If you need someone to talk to do contact me.

I am committed to providing an anti-discriminatory and equal opportunities service to all people regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs or disability. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make my service more accessible to you.