Hello,
I'm Ellie.
I am a child & adolescent counselor and play therapist who supports children as they navigate emotions, relationships, life challenges, and personal growth. My work is guided by one belief:
It starts with curiosity.
Behind my work with children is a lifelong curiosity about how people experience the world. My own journey has shaped the way I understand children who may feel out of step, struggle to express themselves, or wonder why certain things feel harder for them.
I once felt different too.
A Personal Story
When I was a child, I often felt like I saw the world a little differently.
I was curious and full of ideas. My mind was always busy, and sometimes my thoughts seemed to move faster than I could put them into words.
There were also things that didn't come as easily to me as they seemed to for other children. Staying focused, remembering what I had just learned, reading quickly, or spelling words often took much more effort.
I still remember feeling nervous before spelling tests and maths tests. My heart would race, and I couldn't understand why something that seemed so manageable for everyone else felt so overwhelming to me.
What confused me most wasn't that some things felt hard. It was not knowing why they felt so much harder for me than they seemed to for everyone else.
07For a long time, I wondered if everyone else knew something that I didn't. I couldn't explain what I was experiencing, so I quietly carried that feeling with me.
Years later, after studying child development and psychology, I began to understand my childhood through a new lens.
I don't think that little girl needed to be fixed. I think she needed adults who were willing to slow down, stay curious, see the good in her, and help her understand herself with kindness.
That experience has shaped the way I work today. Every child has their own way of thinking, learning, and making sense of the world. My role isn't to change who they are. It's to help them understand themselves, build on their strengths, and develop the skills they need to thrive.
When children feel safe, understood, and accepted, they are far more able to discover their own strengths and develop the skills they need.
08Curiosity, not judgment.
Today, this experience helps me approach children with curiosity instead of judgment. When a child struggles, I do not only ask "What behavior needs to change?" I also ask "What is this child experiencing? What strengths are hidden behind this challenge?"
Psychology, education & child development.
I hold a Master's degree in Psychology and Education from the University of Sheffield, UK, and have over 10 years of experience supporting children and adolescents in international school and therapeutic settings.
Triple P Certified
Positive Parenting Program
M.A. Psychology & Education
University of Sheffield
UCLA PEERS® for Adolescents
Adolescent Social Skills · 2022
UCLA PEERS® for Preschoolers
Preschool Social Skills · 2025
Play Therapy International Certified
Play Therapy
CBT for Youth
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT for ADHD in Youth
ADHD Focused CBT
CBT for Autism
Autism Focused CBT
DBT Skills
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
ACT Certified
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Triple P Certified
Positive Parenting Program
M.A. Psychology & Education
University of Sheffield
UCLA PEERS® for Adolescents
Adolescent Social Skills · 2022
Evidence-based, child-centered.
I integrate evidence-based approaches, choosing and adapting them for each child's unique needs.