Elise Whittington

I currently have availability

Hello and welcome to my listing. Thank you for taking the time and energy to take a look at the service I can offer you. I specialise in supporting adults living with a chronic illness and/or chronic pain, the perimenopause or the menopause, to live well by supporting your mental health. If you are a family member or friend in a supporting role and need a safe space to explore your emotions please do get in touch.

My name is Elise and I do understand. As someone who is living with the perimenopause and several chronic health conditions, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to manage both your physical and mental health. My counselling practice offers a safe, non-judgemental space where you can explore these feelings and challenges. 

Living with a chronic illness and/or chronic pain affects every part of your life. The diagnosis, the uncertainty, the confusion, the enforced lifestyle changes and not to mention the numerous medical appointments or the impact on your personal relationships, work or finances. It can feel isolating when those around you don't truly understand what you're going through. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been managing a chronic condition for a while, counselling can help you navigate this difficult time.

The perimenopause and menopause itself can also present with great challenges including strong emotions and numerous physical and mental health challenges. It can be a confusing, frustrating time, affecting almost every area of your life and is an area in which so little help is often given by conventional medicine. Did you know the perimenopause can cause up to 34 different symptoms! No, you are not alone in experiencing these spiralling emotions from sudden anxiety, to anger, depression, to tearfulness, to brain fog and chronic fatigue, do reach out and contact me.

If you have an end-stage cancer or are considering assisted dying, these are not my areas of expertise. Experienced therapists in this area can give excellent support.

I am fully qualified with a First Class Honours degree in Counselling and over a decade of experience. I work with adults aged 18 and over, offering both short-term and long-term therapy depending on your needs.

All sessions take place online via Zoom or by WhatsApp telephone call. Online therapy offers you accessibility on both good and challenging days. Added benefits are that you save energy, time and money not having to travel! On good days and not so good days, you will be in the comfort of your own environment. 

I offer standard 60 minute sessions, reduced fee 30 minute sessions if your health condition limits the time you can sit (I am also happy if you need to take movement breaks in any session) and longer sessions if your health condition means you need longer to fully convey your feelings including 75 minute and 90 minute sessions.

You are likely to hear my Labrador Wellie snoring under my desk from time time too, as he is my constant companion!

I offer a free 30 minute initial consultation either by Zoom video platform or by WhatsApp audio telephone call where we can meet each other and you can see if I am the right therapist for you. A very short assessment will be undertaken in this time to help me understand what issues you would potentially like to explore in your therapy. If you feel you would like to book for a counselling session we will explore making some achievable (and revisable) goals to keep your therapy on track.

In your first session we will work together to make sure you feel comfortable and we will get going on exploring an issue of your choice.