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Ellie Katayoun is a Doctoral Trainee Counselling Psychologist at The Private Therapy Clinic, with extensive experience supporting individuals facing complex mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and eating disorders.
Ellie holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Queen Mary University of London, a prestigious Russell Group institution, where she gained a solid foundation in psychology and evidence-based practice. She later completed an MSc in Psychotherapy Studies at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, in collaboration with Middlesex University, an institution renowned for its expertise in Existential Psychotherapy.
In addition to her formal academic training, Ellie has undertaken various specialist courses, including training at the Metanoia Institute and the Anna Freud Centre, where she developed her skills in working with both adolescents and adults experiencing a wide range of psychiatric presentations.
Ellie has several years of experience working in diverse mental health settings, including psychiatric in-patient hospitals, outpatient services, and community-based mental health services. She has worked with Mind and The Listening Place, where she provided crucial support to those in distress. Currently, Ellie serves as the Lead Crisis Worker for Mind’s Crisis Prevention Service, supporting individuals in acute mental distress.
Her broad clinical experience has provided her with the knowledge and skills to offer compassionate, informed, and tailored therapeutic interventions, ensuring that each client receives the individualised support they need.
Ellie’s approach to therapy is warm, empathetic, and client-centred. She understands that seeking therapy can feel daunting, and many clients may be unsure of where to begin. Her priority is to create a supportive and welcoming environment, working at a pace that feels comfortable and manageable for each individual.
She draws on Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic techniques, adapting her approach to suit each client’s unique needs. Person-Centred Therapy is at the heart of her work, emphasising empathy, active listening, and unconditional positive regard to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel truly heard. She believes in empowering individuals to explore their thoughts and emotions freely, helping them develop greater self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Rather than directing clients toward specific solutions, Ellie acts as a facilitator, recognising that every individual has an innate capacity for self-healing and personal growth. Her compassionate and genuine approach helps validate clients’ experiences, reinforcing their sense of worth and guiding them toward fulfilling their own goals and aspirations.
Ellie has a particular interest in low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Her academic research focuses on the lived experiences of individuals with a BPD diagnosis, deepening her understanding of the complexities of this condition and informing her therapeutic practice.
As a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), Ellie upholds the highest professional standards, ensuring that her approach remains ethical, evidence-based, and aligned with best practices in psychological care.
Through her integrative and compassionate approach, Ellie helps clients build confidence, autonomy, and resilience, guiding them toward greater emotional well-being and personal fulfilment.