Chris Elcombe

I am a qualified relational psychotherapist and counsellor, offering short- and long-term therapy to individuals. I know from personal experience how powerful the therapy space can be for processing painful thoughts and feelings, and exploring ways in which we feel stuck. It's a place to share, in confidence and without judgment. I believe therapy can help build self-awareness and self-acceptance, to make sense of your life experiences, and find new ways of being in the world and relating to those around you. I have particular experience working with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship issues, and the ongoing effects of adverse childhood experiences, including self-harm, addiction and suicidal thoughts. But whether you are struggling with something in particular, or have a sense of something not being right that you can't put your finger on, I can sit with you in exploring and making sense of your experience, and help bring about change. My approach I welcome people of all identities, cultures, sexualities and faiths. Everyone is different and I tailor my approach to you as an individual or couple, but attunement to your experience of the world is at the heart of how I work. I believe that, alongside difficult and challenging events in the present, our early experiences and relationships can have a profound influence on how we feel and behave, what we believe about ourselves and how we relate to others around us. Therapy can bring about deep and lasting change, through exploring these beliefs and patterns together as they emerge between us.  Working through this can help you to find new ways to cope with the challenges that life throws, release emotions that have been blocked, or discover new perspectives and meanings that allow you to feel more comfortable in your own skin. What I offer I offer both time-limited and open-ended therapy, on a weekly basis. I don't prescribe the number of sessions - everyone has different needs. It is your choice, and something we can discuss together at the beginning, and review as necessary as the therapy progresses. However, I would suggest though it is not compulsory that a minimum of 6 sessions is advisable in order to gain any benefit from the work. But you don't need to commit to anything before we've had a chance to talk: I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation to discuss what you might be looking for and to see whether we would like to work with each other. I am a member of the UKCP and abide by their ethical code. Accessibility:   There are a small number of steps up and down on the way into my therapy space.   I work in a garden office and there is no access to a toilet at these premises. I am near a high street with several cafes and am happy to advise on alternative local facilities if necessary.   Please let me know if you have any other access needs - I am open to discussing ways in which I can reasonably accommodate these.