About Me
Elaine Bramhall
Therapeutic Counsellor
Professionally
In 1997 I qualified as a midwife and worked in this role for 10 years. I then moved to work in cancer and end of life care supporting staff to develop effective communication skills in order to support patients more fully. I qualified as a Person Centered counsellor in 2006 and have practiced ever since, beginning my private practice after gaining experience in a local hospice.
I divide my working week between client work and communication skills training. Working with clients enables me to continue to work therapeutically with individuals and couples, something I am passionate about. Life is hard at times and we are not always equipped to manage those challenges – client work means I have the opportunity support individuals /couples as they find their own way to navigate those challenges and difficulties.
Facilitating communication skills training for health and social care staff provides a contrast and an opportunity to support health workers as they face the challenges of their role.
Once health workers develop confidence in effective communication patient or relative distress can be met with empathy and sensitivity more often and complaints and questions can be met with openness instead of defense. Confident health workers have the potential to improve relationships with patients and overall experiences of healthcare can be improved.
Personally
I am in a happy and fulfilling second marriage, with grown up children and step-children. My life has followed a, not unusual course, of highs and lows, good and not so good. I have learnt a lot about life, my strengths, weaknesses and myself, mostly through the challenges. I discovered Carl Rogers in my 20’s at a particularly difficult time in my life and began my training as a therapist a few years later.
Podcast Appearances
Sarah D Rees | Ask The Therapist Podcast
In this interview, I spoke about my journey in caring and supporting people from the first moments of their life to the last moments and gave an insight into working with and coping with bereavement and grief.
Accreditations and Registrations
Testimonials
"Elaine helped me to make sense of my feelings. I now have a much better understanding of myself and my needs, which is helping me to make better choices in aspects of my life."
"Thank you for your insightful support"
"Thank you Elaine. I've already recommended your services to friends."
"Having been sceptical about counselling in the past my circumstances led to needing bereavement counselling. After 7 sessions with Elaine I fully appreciate the benefits of counselling. Elaine helped me through my grief and allowed me to find positives and become a stronger person, despite my loss. Elaine listens and challenges you in just the right amount, leaving you feeling like a weight has lifted and providing that sounding board who you can share things with without her taking offence. Thank you."
"Elaine is a very knowledgeable counsellor. She creates a safe, comfortable and open environment to work through challenges. Elaine really helped us move forward, opened up our streams of conversation and helped us see our relationship in new ways. Throughout our many sessions, Elaine always drew back on previous conversations, helping us to see the progress we had made. We would definitely recommend working with Elaine."
"Elaine has guided me through counselling over the past 7 months with care and professionalism."
"I have found Elaine to be attentive, insightful and patient in helping me to look inwards and address some fundamental issues affecting my life."
"With Elaine's help, I have been able to let go of a number of things that previously held me back in my life."