Counselling in Coulsdon and Purley with Black Dog Talking

Welcome to Black Dog Talking

My name is Eleri Pengelly, I am a qualified counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I offer talking therapy online to clients across the UK and face-to-face in the Coulsdon, Purley, Reigate, Redhill and Croydon area.

I set up Black Dog Talking in 2018. A black dog has often been used as a symbol of the kind of depression that can dog us throughout our lives*. My own living and breathing black dog was the opposite of a black cloud of depression. She was kind, gentle and healing and so my practice was named in her memory. She embodied the kind of warmth, energy and concern that therapy can offer - unconditional positive attentiveness .

* You might like to take a look at this video from the World Health Organisation - https://youtu.be/XiCrniLQGYc?si=_WLdISQ8iCxtP-jv

A Space For You

When we are unhappy, anxious or filled with stress, often what we really need is to be heard. Being really heard by someone warm and patient, non-judgemental and perceptive, helps us understand ourselves.

I provide a space for all of this – a space for you to talk, for me to listen and for answers to arise.

Sometimes stress, loss or anger are centred around what is happening in your life now. Sometimes it is linked to the past.

Seeing your childhood as well as your adult life more clearly can help you find new meaning, enabling you to repair any damage done, and to find a new trust in yourself and others.

"In my relationships with persons I have found that it does not help, in the long run, to act as though I were something that I am not." ― Carl R. Rogers, On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy

Focus - Discover - Direct

I often think that working alongside clients can be something like solving a mystery or reading a detective story: we’re looking for clues about what’s going on, what the characters are like, and how we’d like the story to end. Together we can start to untangle some of the things that might feel knotty and difficult at the start: straightening out the threads of your story and seeing the shape of your life so far.

This is a chance for you to focus on who you are, how you fit into your own story and which direction you want your story to take from now on.

“Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.“ — Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection.

My Experience

I have worked in a variety of settings as well as in private practice: a large general counselling service, a school, an organisation for older people and a service offering counselling to teenagers and young adults.

I also teach counselling.

I have worked with clients between the ages of eight years old and 89 years old who have struggled with a variety of situations and uncomfortable emotions. Often, even with older people, these struggles are related to what happened in the early years. The legacy of childhood experiences - good and bad - shapes us and makes us who we are.

Feelings of not being good enough, perfectionism, anxiety, low self-esteem and loss are feelings that clients often bring to their first counselling session. Those feelings are often embedded in particular situations, for example work or school problems, relationship difficulties, bullying, bereavement, cultural or spiritual crises.

I am experienced in working with issues such as:

Depression • self-harm • general anxiety • obsessive compulsive disorder • shame • childhood experiences • anger • loneliness • bereavement • sexuality

I have worked with clients who have experienced trauma, isolation, and all sorts of challenges that might feel as though they are blocking the way to living a fuller life. If you would like to work with me, we may work together for a short time or you may decide you want to stay for a longer period but, however long we spend working together, my aim is to walk alongside you while you start your journey towards your goals.

Sessions

The therapy takes place in a non-judgemental, confidential space, where you can truthfully acknowledge difficult feelings, be silent, cry, laugh, share, work things out.

We will talk about whatever is on your mind. Really hearing yourself can bring new understanding, self-compassion and answers.

I work largely in a person-centred/integrative way. I offer short-term (6-8 weeks) and longer-term counselling. Weekly sessions last 50 minutes.

Sessions are held online but I have some limited availability for face-to-face work from counselling rooms in Coulsdon and Purley.

Fees

It's important that you should have a counsellor you trust and feel comfortable with. It's also important that you should have a counsellor who feels they are qualified to deal with whatever it is that has brought you to counselling.

To allow you to decide whether you would like to come to Black Dog Talking counselling, I offer an initial half hour telephone or online session free of charge.

Standard online session fees start at £45 up to £60, with some concessions available (please contact me for further details). In-person session rates start at £60. You can decide for yourself how much you can afford to pay within the relevant price range.

Fees are payable in cash or by bank transfer. If you need to cancel a session, I require 48 hours' notice, otherwise you will be required to pay for any missed sessions.

Get in touch

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how therapeutic counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of starting counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.

You can also call me on 07428506253, if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.

All contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.

I look forward to our journey together.

And if you are here because you are worried about someone else, please take a look at this video from the World Health Organization for tips on how to support someone struggling with depression - https://youtu.be/2VRRx7Mtep8?si=eH2xJQBhcmKozxWS .

Black Dog Talking

THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING IN COULSDON