Elaine Collins

A licensed professional guiding individuals through emotional and mental health challenges via chat or video sessions. I work with adults and young people (11+), offering a calm, steady space to explore anxiety, low mood, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, or simply feeling not quite yourself. Therapy with me is thoughtful and unhurried, giving you space to make sense of what’s going on and begin to move forward with greater confidence. Working with Adults Alongside my work with young people, I support adults who may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally tired. Many of the adults I work with are in midlife, carrying significant responsibility — at work, in relationships, or within their families. From the outside they may appear to be coping, while privately feeling exhausted, disconnected, or unsure how things became this heavy. I have particular experience supporting men who may be carrying pressure quietly — often balancing work demands, family responsibilities, and unspoken expectations. My approach is calm, thoughtful and straightforward, allowing space to talk openly without judgement or pressure to express things in a particular way. Working with Young People I’m a specialist counsellor for young people (11+), and I understand how intense this stage of life can feel. Anxiety, friendship difficulties, academic pressure, low self-esteem and emotional overwhelm are increasingly common. Some young people find it hard to put their feelings into words. To support this, I offer a range of creative resources including sand tray work, board games, mood cards, conversation prompts and other tools that gently encourage communication and build trust. If a young person prefers simply to talk, that’s absolutely fine too — sessions always move at their pace. As both a counsellor and a mum within a neurodivergent family, I understand how complex family life can be. I’ve seen first-hand how ADHD, anxiety and overwhelm can affect not just the individual, but relationships and family dynamics too. Background & Experience Before training as a counsellor, I worked as a teacher, giving me insight into the pressures children, young people and staff face within education. I have also worked in bereavement support, helping young people navigate grief and loss with sensitivity and care. What to Expect The first session is simply a conversation. There’s no pressure to know exactly what to say or where to begin. We can start wherever feels most comfortable — whether that’s talking about what’s happening now or just getting a feel for the space. Together, we explore your current coping strategies, deepen your understanding of your thoughts and emotions, and gently work towards meaningful change. Many people say they feel relief simply from being heard and understood. Often people reach out when they’ve been coping for a long time on their own. Therapy can be a place to put some of that down. This is your space — steady, confidential and supportive.