Chris Elcombe

Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

Chris Elcombe

Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

About me

I am a qualified counsellor and in advanced training as a relational psychotherapist at the Metanoia Institute. My practice is based in south-east London, in Sydenham (SE26).

I know from personal experience how powerful the therapy space can be for processing painful thoughts and feelings, and exploring ways in which we feel stuck. It’s a place to share, in confidence and without judgment.

Everyone is different and I tailor my approach to you as an individual. My training is in Transactional Analysis, an approach that supports exploration of underlying beliefs and feelings as part of working through present-day challenges. I believe that our early experiences and relationships have a profound influence on how we feel and behave, what we believe about ourselves and how we relate to others around us.

I also hold that therapy can bring about deep and lasting change, through exploring these beliefs and patterns as they emerge in the present between us. Empathy and attunement to your experience of the world is at the heart of my approach.

Coming to therapy can be a big step. I am committed to holding a confidential and non-judgmental space for you to:

make sense of your life experiences, discovering new perspectives and meanings that allow you to feel more comfortable in your own skin
process painful thoughts and feelings, and release emotions that have been blocked
explore behaviour that is holding you back, finding new ways to cope with the challenges that life brings
reconnect with parts of yourself that you’ve lost touch with, to help you recognise your values and needs, and live your life accordingly.

Please see below for more on the kinds of issues I can work on with you.

I am a Registered Member of BACP and trainee member of UKCP, and abide by their ethical codes.

Contact me at chris.elcombe@outlook.com / 07812 543 383, and please do read on for more information.

Is therapy for me?

Perhaps you’re going through a time in your life, as many of us do, where you’re having thoughts, feelings or experiences that are hard to bear.

Or maybe you’re noticing the same thing playing out over and over in relationships or at work, but you’re not sure why it’s happening, or how to change things.

When life is challenging, we can feel scattered or lost, stuck in a rut, or in pain. I can sit with you in your experience and work with you to bring about change.

Using labels to define and describe our experiences can be useful, but not for everyone. I have included some below as a way of indicating some of the areas I can work with you, but these are not exhaustive.

- depression

- anxiety and panic attacks

- relationship issues

- sexuality and identity

- troubling thoughts, feelings or behaviours

- lack of self-esteem

- post-traumatic stress (including PTSD)

- abuse

- addictions

- bereavement

- self-harm or suicidal feelings

Alternatively, maybe you have a sense that something is wrong but can't put your finger on what the problem is. This is very common too, and something we can explore together.

How it works

For information about fees, session details and more please scroll down or click on 'find out more'. If you have any other questions about what therapy entails or what I offer, please don't hesitate to contact me: chris.elcombe@outlook.com / 07812 543 383

Find out more

Further information

Sessions

Fees and cancellation

I offer both short- and long-term therapy, meeting for 50 minutes at the same time on a weekly basis.

I don't prescribe the number of sessions - everyone has different needs. It is your choice, and something we can discuss together at the beginning, and review as necessary as the therapy progresses. However, I would suggest (though it is not compulsory) that a minimum of 6 sessions is advisable in order to gain any benefit from the work.

I am currently working online only, but once Covid-19 restrictions ease I will be offering face-to-face sessions.

Fees and cancellation

My standard fee is £50 per session, although I have limited space at a lower rate, for people on reduced income or out of work. Payment by bank transfer is preferred.

Sessions cancelled with 48 hours' notice will not be charged.

Ethics

Fees and cancellation

Confidentiality and safety

As a trainee psychotherapist, I am required to be in regular supervision with a qualified UKCP/BACP supervising psychotherapist. I abide by the professional and ethical codes of UKCP, BACP and Metanoia Institute.

Confidentiality and safety

Confidentiality and safety are crucial in therapy. I uphold these principles in accordance with the BACP and UKCP codes of ethics, maintaining complete confidentiality with the following exceptions: I am required to discuss my work (using the client's first name only) with a qualified supervising psychotherapist, which is also a confidential relationship; and where there is a risk of harm to self or others.

Data protection

Confidentiality and safety

Data protection

I am required by law to adhere to GDPR regulations and be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. My reference number is ZA486962.

I can share more details about my digital policy on request.

Contact

Confidentiality and safety

Data protection

Email: chris.elcombe@outlook.com

Phone: 07812 543 383

I offer an initial, free, 20-minute phone consultation to discuss what you might be looking for and to see whether we would like to work with each other.