Rate Ellen Webster

I am a registered Humanistic Gestalt therapist in the UK. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, LGBTQ+ related issues, trauma, and relationship & intimacy issues.

I work with people who want to feel empowered, regain a sense of self and take back control of how they live their lives. Often we can find ourselves feeling lost or stuck, trying to fit the expectations of others, and losing track of what we see for ourselves. We get caught up in patterns from the past, repeating outdated relationship dynamics and old coping mechanisms, even when they prevent us from getting to where we want to be. 

I explore relationships, how we meet challenges, our self-perception and how we perceive the world around us, the stories and roles we play out, and the conflict between who we believe we are and who we want to be. I look at how we can let go of the patterns that no longer serve us, integrating new, more authentic ways of being that align with what we want and need.

My core values as a counsellor and my approach are:

Authenticity - It is really important to me that I show up as a real human being with my clients. I find that if we can relate on a human level, there is more transparency and room to explore the things that have brought you to the process.

Curiosity - I am actively curious about the people I work with; where they come from, what they value, who they are at their core, what happens between us in the therapeutic space. Curiosity and non-judgement go hand-in-hand, and it often helps the people I work with become curious about themselves, in turn letting go of self-judgement and shame.

Creativity and Adaptability - I work in a variety of ways, including art, metaphor, dreams, inner child work, fantasy and imagination, as well as practical tools, particularly when working with anxiety, stress or specific goals. I integrate some Pluralistic techniques to get an idea of what your preferences for counselling are or might be (if you've never had counselling before), ensuring that am adapting to you and your counselling needs. 

Inclusivity - All of the above lend themselves to anti-oppressive practice and inclusivity. I've worked with people from diverse backgrounds, ages and cultures, and in particular neurodiversity (particularly ASD and ADHD) and LGBTQIA+. 

I have experience working with depression, anxiety, stress, motivation, self-esteem and confidence, family issues, boundaries, relationships and intimacy, sexual identity, gender identity, autism and ADHD. I have also worked with a number of trainee/student counsellors, supporting them on their journey of personal and professional development.