Ellen Boyle, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

Ellen Boyle

CB8
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Ellen Boyle, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

Ellen Boyle

CB8
Email Therapist
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My Approach

In my work, I am mindful of attachment theory, psychodynamic approaches, and recent discoveries in neuroscience - in layman's terms this means I try to hold in mind the impact of a child or young person's earlier and ongoing life experiences on their developing brain and consider how these might play a part in any current difficulties.

Sometimes it is important for a young person to simply have a space to explore their experiences, get in touch with their feelings, and have these validated. It can sometimes be hard to do this on your own, which is why a good therapist will be able to facilitate that work with the young person, and approach it in a way that doesn't create discomfort or further distress. In therapy sessions, I integrate play, arts & crafts, psycho-education, story-telling and conversation to help clients explore and express their feelings within the context of a warm therapeutic relationship.

Childhood and adolescence is a time of rapid change and opportunities for growth and development, and I try to support my clients in finding new ways to think about and cope with challenging situations. and enable them to feel hopeful about their futures. I also consider the impact of the wider dynamics of systems around the child or young person - how family life, school, and the wider community may influence their well-being. Where appropriate I can work with parent(s)/carer(s) to think about the client's needs holistically and identify resources that may be of further support.



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About Me

Hi there! I work with children, young people, and their families when they need a bit of support with some of life's challenges. I aim to build a good rapport with my clients and work at their pace, so that they feel supported and safe, In this way, we are able to explore some of their experiences, thoughts and feelings together, and think about what might be helpful in moving forwards.

I work with

  • Families
  • Groups
  • Individuals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

I am not a fan of the term "anger management" as I see anger as surface level communication on display when a person is struggling with really difficult feelings underneath. In my work I help clients explore what is really going on for them, and can work with them to find new ways to get in touch with their emotions, and communicate their needs in healthier and more prosocial ways.
Many young people today are struggling with different types of anxious feelings - which can impact their ability to function well socially and academically, and create barriers to the things they would like to do. In therapy we can explore the roots of these unpleasant feelings and the way they are felt in the body, and think about the psychological skills and behaviours that we can use to try and get these feelings back under control.
Part of my clinical practice during my training was spent at a hospice, supporting children and young people who had lost a parent, carer, or other close relative. It can be helpful to create a space where a young person can explore their confusing and painful feelings, but often this is difficult to achieve within the family because the client fears causing more pain and anguish to others affected by the same loss. I offer bereavement work with children and young people and work in a way that is age appropriate and gentle.
Sometimes family life itself can create emotional distress for children and young people. Whilst in many situations our families are a place to access support, it can be hard to know who to talk to when the family dynamic itself is part of the issue. Therapy sessions offer clients a space to explore and understand what might be going on at home, in a way that is non-blaming of self and others. I can also work with parents and carers to explore what might be going at a family level, as this is often at the heart of some of the difficult feelings, thoughts and behaviours of our young people.
We often think of trauma as a serious life-threatening event such as a natural disaster or accident. Some unhappy life events can be understood as trauma, such as a close bereavement, neglect or abuse, or family breakdown. Separation or estrangement from a parent may be experienced as a form of ‘relational trauma’. For children and young people, other ‘adverse childhood events' such as the loss of a beloved pet, experiencing bullying, or being rejected by a friend group can cumulatively produce the same physiological and emotional responses in mind and body as something more readily identified as a 'trauma'. It can be helpful for young clients to explore their stories in less direct way, using creative and play based activities to create and explore key images and themes of things that might have created a lot of fear and anxiety - but in a way that feels safe and contained. This 'processing' or working through of emotions and experience can help clients feel heard and understood, and in this way help them understand and be more compassionate to themselves.

Types of Therapies Offered

  • Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

Types of sessions

  • Face to Face - Long Term
  • Face to Face - Short Term
  • Home Visits
  • Online Therapy

Office

Lifestuff
9 All Saints Road
CB8 8ES
United Kingdom (UK)

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UKCP College

  • Universities Training College (UTC)

Working with Children

For more information about therapy for children and young people, visit our info page.
Ellen Boyle

Ellen Boyle

CB8
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UK Council for Psychotherapy
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020 7014 9955

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