Elizabeth Oatten

Life can feel overwhelming and, at times, emotionally hard. I provide a supportive and reflective space where you can explore and make sense of your experiences, and develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and resilience to foster meaningful change.

You may be seeking counselling because you’re feeling stuck or uncertain about your direction in life. Perhaps self-doubt is affecting your confidence or sense of identity. You might be navigating workplace difficulties such as conflict, stress, or burnout. Or you may be living with anxiety or depression, or carrying the impact of past trauma.

Whatever brings you to counselling, my approach is supportive, collaborative, and client-centred. Together, we can explore your emotional and psychological challenges in a way that feels safe, reflective, and empowering.

COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION

I know from experience that beginning counselling — and finding the right therapist, someone you can trust — can feel difficult, even daunting.

That’s why I focus on creating a trusting relationship from the very beginning, offering a complimentary consultation where we can get to know each other a little. We can talk through what has led you to seek counselling, your hopes, and any questions you may have.

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

I trained at the highly regarded Metanoia Institute, where I gained a BSc (Hons) in Humanistic Counselling and a Level 6 Clinical Diploma in Humanistic Counselling.

I regularly undertake clinical supervision and continuing professional development to ensure my work remains ethical, reflective, and effective, enabling me to provide high-quality care to my clients.

Fully Insured | Enhanced DBS Checked | Adult Safeguarding Aware

My approach is integrative and relational, drawing on the three complementary modalities I trained in – Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Transactional Analysis – together with trauma-informed practice, solution-focused and cognitive-behavioural therapies, and real-life insights. 

I believe that understanding yourself is the first step towards healing and making meaningful change. That’s why offering therapeutic insights to deepen your awareness of past experiences and their impact on your present is a key part of my integrative approach.

I blend therapeutic approaches and insights to tailor therapy to your unique needs, working at a pace that is right for you.

I believe our emotional and psychological challenges come from the complexities and messiness of being human — we are shaped by our history, thoughts, emotions, instincts, relationships, and the world around us. Together, these influence how we see ourselves and the meaning we give to our lives.

That's why I take a whole-person approach to counselling. We'll explore your experiences with compassion and curiosity to deepen your insight and help you make sense of your world.

And we'll strengthen your self-awareness and self-compassion — the inner resources that ease the difficult emotions tied to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and past trauma. Together, we'll build your sense of empowerment and resilience to nurture your wellbeing, so you can live with greater authenticity and renewed vitality.

OUR FIRST SESSION: LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THERAPY

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Our first session provides a welcoming space for us to get to know each other and start building a trusting therapeutic relationship.

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We will discuss your background and personal history, helping me understand the experiences that have shaped you.

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Together, we will explore what has brought you to counselling and identify your hopes and goals.

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This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and gain a clear understanding of the therapeutic process, so you can feel confident and comfortable as we begin our work together.

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Life can feel heavy and, at times, hard to manage. I offer a calm, reflective space to pause, explore, and make sense of your experiences, and to develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and resilience to foster meaningful change.

You may be seeking counselling because you’re feeling stuck, struggling with confidence, or unsure about your direction in life. Perhaps self-doubt is affecting your sense of identity. You might be navigating workplace pressures such as conflict, stress, or burnout, or experiencing anxiety, depression, or the lingering impact of past trauma.

Whatever brings you to counselling, I take a warm, collaborative approach, drawing on a range of therapeutic methods tailored to your needs. Together, we can explore the challenges you’re facing in a way that feels safe, thoughtful, and empowering.

Complimentary Consultation

I know that starting counselling - and finding the right therapist - can feel daunting. That’s why I offer a complimentary consultation to begin building a trusting therapeutic relationship, as we get to know each other and discuss what has brought you to counselling, your hopes, and any questions you may have.

Training and Qualifications

I trained at the highly regarded Metanoia Institute, where I gained a BSc (Hons) in Humanistic Counselling and a Level 6 Clinical Diploma in Humanistic Counselling.

I regularly undertake clinical supervision and professional development to ensure my work remains ethical, reflective, and effective.

Fully Insured | Enhanced DBS Checked | Adult Safeguarding Aware

My approach is integrative and relational, centred on a trusting therapeutic relationship, which is foundational to effective therapy.

Grounded in trauma-informed practice, I draw on the three complementary modalities I trained in — Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Transactional Analysis — along with solution-focused and cognitive-behavioural approaches and practical life insights. I blend these methods to tailor therapy to your unique needs, working at a pace that feels right for you.

I believe that developing insight is essential for healing and lasting change. Together, using a whole-person approach, we will explore how the interplay of your history, thoughts, emotions, relationships, and environment shapes your patterns, emotional responses, and sense of self, helping you make sense of your inner world.

We will strengthen your self-awareness and self-compassion - essential tools for easing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and the lasting impact of trauma - and foster empowerment, resilience, and psychological wellbeing, supporting you to live with greater authenticity, emotional balance, and vitality.

Our First Session: Laying the Foundation for Therapy

Our first session provides a welcoming and supportive space as we nurture our therapeutic relationship.

We will discuss your background and personal history to understand the experiences and influences that have shaped you. Together, we’ll explore what has brought you to counselling and clarify your hopes and goals.

This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and gain a clear understanding of the therapeutic process, helping you feel confident and comfortable as we begin our work together.