Elizabeth Greenan - Psychotherapeutic counsellor

Experience

Since 2011 I have been working as School Counsellor in primary schools in Brighton and Hove.  I worked for 4 years with YMCA Dialogue's 'Families Plus Service' offering therapeutic support to children, young people and families.  I see children and young people (age 4 to 25) for counselling with the Brighton and Hove Community Wellbeing Service (NHS).  I see adults, couples, children and young people in private practice at New Road Psychotherapy Centre.  I have worked extensively with children in foster care and transitioning into adoptive placements. 

Areas of special interest

Early trauma and PTSD.  Anxiety in children and young people. Attachment disorders.

Working therapeutically with children

Children's natural way of expressing themselves, and processing life's challenges is through play, drawing or painting, or imaginative story telling.  Being able to express difficult feelings alongside an attuned adult brings relief so that difficult feelings lose their negative power, allowing the child to assimilate and resolve conflicting emotions.  This kind of counselling can introduce the child to a vocabulary for expressing feelings in a more direct and mature way. 

I offer an initial assessment with parents/carers to discuss their child's presenting issues and to explore family history.  I offer on-going support and consultation with parents during the course of  their child's therapy and we can discuss practical strategies for use at home.