Dr Perran Ellson, Psychotherapist

About Me

I am a Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist and a registered member of the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP). I am qualified to a high standard to practice psychotherapy with children and young people between the ages of 0-25.I have several years of experience working therapeutically and offering evidence based psychotherapy with children, teenagers and young people experiencing a broad range of emotional and psychological difficulties. I currently work for the NHS as well as doing some teaching and supervising on a pre-clinical Masters course, alongside private work.In my private practice I specialise in work with adolescents and young people - generally between the ages of 14 and 24. This is a particular time of life that can be fraught with themes around a search for identity, issues of separation, and conflict around dependence and independence. I recognise that in what can feel like an increasingly complicated world, being young and facing an uncertain future can further compound ongoing mental health difficulties.My approach is what is called psychoanalytic psychotherapy, which means that we look not only at what is happening in the present, but also at the feelings, relationships and experiences that may be contributing to how a person is feeling.I hold a clinical Doctorate in Psychotherapy from UCL and further to this have an MSc from Birkbeck in the Psychodynamics of Human Development.

What I help with?

- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Melt downs
- Anger, agitation
- Eating difficulties
- Distress from abuse and domestic violence
- Trauma
- Relationship difficulties
- Self harm
- Suicidal thoughts
- Feelings that are difficult to understand or put into wordsYou don't need to have a clear explanation of what is wrong before getting in touch. Sometimes the first step is simply recognising that something doesn't feel right.

• Click for more information from the ACP about how Child Psychotherapists work

How psychotherapy works

Psychotherapy offers a person a regular, confidential space to talk about whatever feels important to them. It is an open space with an invitation to explore freely what might be preoccupying someone's mind.Psychotherapy is what is sometimes called a talking therapy (although this can involve, drawing, writing and play). In general, it is the talking through of feelings and putting words to emotions and behaviour that can help someone understand their worries and difficulties. Emotions can build up, leaving people feeling sad, angry, even frightened and confused.Sessions are collaborative, but they seek to look beneath the surface of a difficulty and think about what might be driving it. Through this process, people can develop greater awareness of themselves, their feelings and their relationships.The aim isn't simply to make difficult feelings or symptoms disappear. It is to help a person develop a deeper understanding of themselves, so that they can feel more able to navigate difficulties and make choices about how they want to move forward.

How long does it take?

Therapy can be long term: up to a year or longer.
Medium term: a few months.
Short term: between 5-12 sessions.All of this is dependent on what the issue is and how I feel I can best help and decisions will be made in a mutual and collaborative way. Ending therapy will always be agreed and planned carefully in advance as an important part of the therapy process.

The first step

I usually begin with an initial meeting with a young person or where appropriate a parent or carer to understand what has brought someone to seek therapy and to discuss whether psychotherapy might be appropriate.Confidentiality is an important part of therapy. I will explain clearly at the beginning how confidentiality works and the circumstances in which information may need to be shared to keep a young person safe.

Fees & Information

Session fee: £100
Session length: 50 minutes
Location: [Head Space, Forest Hill]Sessions are held weekly at the same time each week and further details about cancellation and holidays can be shared in due course.

• Headroom Therapy Rooms Forest Hill

Contact

If you are considering psychotherapy either for yourself or for a child or young person, please get in touch.You don't need to know exactly what they need or whether psychotherapy is the right option before contacting me. We can arrange an initial conversation to discuss what has been happening and whether I may be able to help.

Email: [email protected]

Professional Registration

I am a registered Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist with the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP).