“When I started therapy, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to overcome all my struggles, as in the past there have been times with old therapists where they couldn’t answer my questions or it felt like we weren’t progressing. However, with Birch Therapy Clinic I never experienced this.

We progressed through problems and I never felt like I was too complicated to deal with. I found IFS particularly useful, alongside the many tools and insights Elaine provided.”

“I've never been keen on therapy before as I didn't find it helped much, until I started working with Elaine. Her holistic approach to our therapy sessions and my healing process means that we can focus on the full body and mind experience.

Elaine’s knowledge and experience in fibromyalgia and M.E. means that we are able to pause CPTSD-focused sessions if needed, to work on my physical symptom management for a session or two.

Elaine is extremely approachable and very easy to get on with, which made me feel at ease about opening up to her. Elaine works in a very person-centred way, which helped me create my own personal toolbox of techniques and grounding methods that I'm able to use outside our therapy sessions.

I would recommend Elaine to anyone who struggles with not only CPTSD, but also any complex physical health issues.”

“Enlisting the help of a therapist feels like a big step, as if you’re horribly damaged and need fixing. I’d avoided it for a long time, until circumstances forced my hand. Being diagnosed with prostate cancer quite literally stopped everything. The focus became the present, my body, my family and the animals I shared my house with.

They say you need to be ready to see a specialist, and that’s probably true. I just wish I’d realised I was ready a long time ago, although maybe I wouldn’t have met Elaine.

I once said to her that if I’d known it was going to be this easy, I would have done it sooner, but the truth is that it isn’t easy at all. Baring your soul to someone, telling them things you’ve never admitted to yourself, let alone your spouse or best friend, takes courage and a desire to confront the ogres and disarm the demons.

Elaine just makes it seem easy. She’s five steps ahead of you yet still holding your hand. She is supportive but asks the questions that need to be asked. Lovely and friendly, though firm, she sees through any attempts at bluster and deflection. It’s a cliché, but I’m going to say it anyway: Elaine has changed my life.

She’s been with me through my cancer treatment, helped me untangle and confront my complicated childhood, and is supporting me as I forge a new future. One where I am calmly living in the present, aware of what brings me feelings of contentment and able to give those I love the attention they need. To say that I recommend Elaine wholeheartedly is an understatement.”

“I was referred for therapy after a severe burnout episode left me with a whole host of nasty symptoms and no idea where to start with recovery. Empathetic, skilful and engaged, Elaine has helped me to slow down where I am wont to rush towards quick solutions.

Our work on internal family systems has been the central thread running through our sessions, though we veer off into different areas week on week depending on what has come up for me. Almost invariably, I leave sessions with a sense of clarity and direction.

Elaine reminds me that we only do the work I can handle, and over time I have found this to be true. We have long since moved past what I thought I came to therapy for. It's hard to describe the work Elaine does. If I had a thousand words, I think I would struggle. But really, I need only three: what is needed.”

“I approached Elaine for support as a result of her experience in dealing with trauma and her specialism in working with people with chronic illness. I have worked with a couple of different therapists before, but was frustrated that they weren't really getting to the nub of things.

I entered into the therapeutic relationship with a good degree of self-awareness, but in a hurry and wanting to deal with some traumatic experiences quickly. Elaine has slowed me down. Her careful, deliberate pace has equipped me with the foundational tools I needed to protect and regulate myself.

I'm grateful for this and for the time she has taken to help me understand the process and why we're doing what we're doing. The work we have done together using internal family systems has helped me reframe things and understand the various parts of myself that are at work in situations relating both to my chronic illness and everyday life.

Working with Elaine has given me a far greater understanding of why I operate the way I do, given me confidence to look at things more objectively and encouraged me to find my own true voice and perspective as I navigate life. Elaine is eloquent and thoughtful, with a wealth of resources, tools and techniques at her disposal. I continue to find her input, reflection and gentle challenge invaluable.”