Elizabeth Ustabas

Elizabeth Ustabas is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship troubles, trauma and abuse, and the practical effects of separation and divorce. She works with people coping with ADHD, grief, low self-esteem, bipolar conditions, and major life changes. Elizabeth uses a compassionate, down-to-earth manner that aims to make difficult conversations easier to start.

She believes clients are the experts on their own lives and draws on their strengths to move forward. Building a trusting working relationship is central to her approach. Sessions focus on what matters to the person in front of her and on small, usable steps between appointments.

Elizabeth has four years of clinical experience and is listed with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. She also teaches counselling courses at levels 2 to 4 and brings that teaching experience into session planning and skills work.

In practice she helps people untangle attachment and communication patterns, manage impulsivity and control issues, and approach intimacy and commitment concerns with more clarity. She also supports those dealing with post-traumatic stress and self-harm thoughts by offering steady, consistent sessions and practical coping strategies.

Her manner is warm and encouraging, aimed at helping people feel heard and capable of taking the next steps. People considering counselling can expect clear explanations of options and shared decisions about goals and techniques.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Elizabeth draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change and clearer understanding. One common approach is strengths-based work, which helps people identify their existing resources and use those skills to manage stress, cravings, or difficult emotions. This involves setting small goals and practising new responses between sessions.

She also uses trauma-informed ways of working that emphasise stability and safety, helping people process traumatic memories at a pace they can manage and develop coping strategies for flashbacks or strong emotions. For neurodivergent clients she adapts explanations and tasks to suit different thinking styles and sensory needs.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will explore goals and preferences with the client and together agree which techniques to try. That collaborative process means plans can change as progress is made.

Practical benefits of online therapy include easier fitting of sessions around busy days and reduced travel time. Online work can also make it simpler to sustain regular meetings, try brief check-ins, or focus on skill practice between sessions. Please confirm the specific session formats available before booking so you know how appointments will be arranged.