Psychological Therapies Bristol

C B T | EMDR | CHANGE

My Story

Hi, I’m Ella, psychotherapist and founder of Psychological Therapies Bristol (PTB). PTB (formerly Psychological Therapies London) welcomed its first clients to a small office space in Central London in early 2017 and since then has grown into a full-time psychotherapy practice; first in a creative space in East London in 2019, before migrating online with the pandemic in 2020. Currently, I offer sessions online and in-person from central Bristol.

Prior to setting up in private practice, I had worked in mental health and psychotherapeutic settings within the NHS for over a decade. Since being in private practice I have collaborated with The Tate Modern and East London Arts and Music Industry Academy (ELAM) to develop and facilitate well-being workshops and have also worked as a Lecturer in Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy and as a Clinical Supervisor at Goldsmith’s University, London.

With a realistic understanding of modern-life and the pressures that it brings; I offer a creative, compassionate and pro-active approach to therapy which values openness, self-reflection and the desire to change.

LIFE IS HARD. Emotions can sometimes inexplicably take over and leave us feeling at a loss as to what to do or how to help ourselves.

Through good therapy people can come to understand their difficulties and what brought them to where they are now. Good therapy can help individuals and couples overcome the complex flux of thoughts, emotions and behaviour that trouble them, and can help them to feel more at ease in themselves, both emotionally and physically, and allow them to live more authentically, without undue fear or hypervigilance.

My background is in working with common mental health diagnoses’ such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I have gone on to specialize in trauma, intimate relationships and sexual difficulties. My role as a clinician is to help clients to process difficult past experiences so that these do not negatively inform or disrupt their present lives.

CLIENT FEEDBACK

“I felt my work was meaningless and had taken too much of my time. Also, I felt like I was taking 'domestic violence' in the work environment. I really appreciate Ella's patient and non-judgemental approach in therapy...Our conversation extended from work to family and helped me focus on the fundamental causes of my problems. I would encourage anyone who has a life crisis or is simply unhappy with where they are to have a session with Ella to understand their thinking and behaviour patterns.”
William

“Very positive approach and a real interest in her patients would make me recommend Ella. She showed me the way to look at things from a different perspective.”
Aneta

“When I was first booked in for my first session with Ella, I was a bit nervous as it was a first time for me. Ella made me feel very comfortable from day 1, which made me look forward to my upcoming sessions with her. I felt as though I could share all my problems with her openly like I'm talking to a friend. She supported me throughout the 10 sessions I had with her and gave me great advice which is helping me in life now.”
Rosh

“Don't be afraid to start therapy. It's better to talk about whatever you are going through than to crop it up. Therapy can give you a new perspective you may not have yet considered. It will give you the tools you can use in your specific situation.”
Kobe

“When I first visited, I wasn't sure I would be able to actually talk about the problems I face. I've kept them locked away from quite some time...but Ella's style is really open and relaxed and she makes you think in a totally non-confrontational way...So eventually I opened up about some key issues which was great! I certainly felt better about sharing my issues and concerns and really managed to make progress in dealing with some of them.”
Richard

“I went into therapy following a difficult break up with a partner, which left me feeling depressed, anxious and thinking about self-harm. I've never been in therapy before and was a bit hesitant about the whole process and whether it would be useful...As a result of therapy with Ella, my mental health has improved considerably, and I feel like a much more grounded person, with increased self-awareness and in possession of a toolkit of techniques I can use myself when I feel anxious or depressed. It's like Ella helped me become a therapist for myself and this is something I will take with me going forward.”
Jana

“Thank you. Should I need your help again I could not think of anyone more supportive or helpful than you. I just want to thank you on behalf of my family and friends as well as myself. You have helped me so much to be the person I want to be.”
Mark

THERAPY

CBT & EMDR Therapies

As a BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, EMDR Therapist and Psychosexual Therapist, with over 15 years’ experience of working and training within the NHS, private and academic settings, I provide evidence-based psychotherapy which emphasizes the use of theoretical and practical therapy approaches which have a solid research-base behind them. I draw upon cutting-edge techniques which are proven to get results and are recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). My objective as a therapist is to work compassionately with you to help you to live in a more fulfilled and joyful way because at the moment, for whatever reason, life has not turned out the way that you had hoped.

CBT and EMDR are theoretically and therapeutically very different approaches and work quite differently in the therapy room, but in my therapy practice have proved to be extremely good bedfellows; combining logic, strategy and planning with deep emotional and belief shift. Being skilled at integrating the two approaches also allows for flexibility throughout the therapy journey and creates responsive psychotherapeutic experiences which can be truly transformational.

Psychosexual & Relationship Therapy

Sex and sexuality are complex aspects of ourselves which deeply affect us, whether consciously or unconsciously, and yet are also areas of our lives which historically have often been neglected, rejected and dismissed in clinical settings and in society. This response may have mirrored how you have experienced your own sexuality or sexual history or your experience of others. In therapy, I provide a space to gently explore these experiences either individually or with your partner (or both), to understand and work through how different life experiences might have impacted your sex life and relationship now. Helping you to shed light on why certain things might be happening either physically or emotionally for you or between you and your partner and supporting you to resolve these and/or move forward where you might feel stuck.

Therapy is not a magic wand, but it certainly has light-bulb moments and can bring about long-lasting meaningful change.

In Relationship/Couples therapy, people may come with a clear presenting sexual difficulty or it may be that you and your partner feel stuck in another area of your life or you are unsure why things are not working as they once did. Common themes include blocks in communication- not being heard or listened to, infidelity, boredom, blame, ‘are we right for each other?’, opening up the relationship, feeling neglected, feeling resentful, the ‘are we just housemates?’ feeling-

or just wanting to a space to have someone support you as a couple to navigate difficult conversations. It may be helpful to know that couples therapy can also include some individual therapy sessions.
I invite my clients to become curious about themselves and how they interpret and respond to others and the world around them; cultivating a stance of self-acceptance and a commitment to overcoming psychological distress and changing behaviour that doesn’t serve them.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT)

Structured therapy focusing on changing thoughts and unhelpful behaviour patterns.

Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing
(EMDR)

Deep level processing; stopping your past from playing out in your present.

Sex and Relationship Therapy

For individuals and those with a partner/s.

15 Minutes

Brief phone/video consultation

An opportunity to meet and discuss your therapy options (15-20 mins)

Free

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50 Minutes

Psychotherapy Intake Assessment

Building more of a picture of what has prompted you to come to therapy.

£120

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50 Minutes

Individual Psychotherapy Session

Collaborative, compassionate and values-driven therapy sessions. Enquire now.

£100

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15 Minutes

Couples Brief Remote Consultation

An opportunity to meet and discuss your therapy options. Phone/video.

Free

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50 Minutes

Psychotherapy Assessment for Couples

An opportunity to discuss what has brought you both to therapy now. Enquire now.

£150

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50 Minutes

Couples Therapy Session

A joint therapy session promoting meaningful relationship change.

£120

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Is Psychological Therapies Bristol right for me?
Good Question.

I offer a free 15 minute Zoom consultation so we can see if we are a good fit to work together. Click the Contact Us button to get in touch