The Safe Garden Counselling | Anxiety, Trauma & Neurodiversity Support Online & In-Person

Have you spent years feeling different, overwhelmed, or believing you're simply not good enough?

Or wondering why life feels harder than it seems to for other people?

You may feel exhausted from masking, overthinking, people-pleasing, or constantly trying to hold everything together while being your own harshest critic.

Therapy can help you understand where these patterns come from, let go of self-blame and shame, and relate to yourself with more compassion.

The Safe Garden

Counselling & Psychotherapy

Face-to-Face Counselling in Portsmouth & Online Across the UK

Book Your First Session

Hello, I'm Elena

I'm a UK-qualified integrative counsellor offering face-to-face counselling in Portsmouth and online therapy across the UK.

I'm a Registered Member of the BACP (membership no. 399640), DBS-checked, fully insured, and work under regular clinical supervision.

I specialise in supporting adults living with the lasting impact of trauma, late-diagnosed ADHD, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. Many of the people I work with have spent years masking how they feel, questioning themselves, or believing they simply aren't good enough.

I offer a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, understood, and accepted.

Together, we can gently explore where feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame began, make sense of your experiences, and start to find a way forward that feels right for you.

It's Not About What's "Wrong" With You

Many people come to therapy believing they are the problem.

They carry a heavy burden of self-blame, guilt, or shame, questioning themselves and wondering why they can't cope the way others seem to. Over time, these feelings can become deeply rooted, affecting self-esteem, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Often, these patterns develop through childhood experiences, difficult life events, trauma, or years of living with undiagnosed ADHD. What once helped you cope may now leave you feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from yourself, or constantly trying to meet impossible expectations.

HOW I CAN HELP

Therapy can look different for everyone, but many of the people I work with come to me around similar themes. Below are some of the areas we might explore together:

Trauma and difficult life experiences
Late-diagnosed ADHD and neurodiversity
Anxiety and overthinking
Shame, guilt, and self-blame
Low self-esteem and self-criticism
Burnout and emotional overwhelm
Perfectionism and people-pleasing
Relationship difficulties and boundaries
Work-related stress and life transitions

FACE-TO-FACE & ONLINE COUNSELLING

I offer face-to-face counselling in Portsmouth, Hampshire, including surrounding areas such as Cosham, Fareham, Havant, and nearby communities — as well as online therapy sessions across the UK.

Whether you choose to meet in person or online, therapy offers a confidential and supportive space where you can focus on yourself, explore your experiences, and receive support in a way that feels comfortable and accessible.

MY APPROACH

I work in an integrative way, meaning I tailor therapy to your individual needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

My work is informed by:

Person-Centred Therapy
Transactional Analysis Therapy (TA)
Gestalt Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Trauma-Informed Practice
Solution Focus Therapy
Compassion-Focused Approaches

I believe therapy should feel collaborative, supportive, and emotionally safe, shaped around what works best for you.

Fees

Your first 50-minute counselling session is offered at a reduced fee of £30(usual fee £60).

This gives you the opportunity to experience therapy, explore what has brought you here, and decide whether working together feels like the right fit for you.

There is no obligation to continue after your first session.

Ongoing counselling sessions are £60 per 50-minute session.

Book Your First Session