My name is Julia and I am an integrative psychotherapist, counsellor and coach who works with a number of different types of therapy to help my clients meet their goals. I am trained in person-centred therapy, transactional analysis, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), mindfulness based stress reduction and therapeutic coaching. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP).
I have experience of working with people experiencing a range of mental health difficulties and life challenges including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma recovery
- Childhood abuse
- Domestic violence
- Addiction and compulsive behaviour
- Relationship issues
- Grief and bereavement
- Coping with physical illness
- Significant life transitions and changes
Person-centred therapy
This is at the heart of everything I offer. When you are in need of psychological support you deserve help which is tailored to you as an individual and which is respectful of your inner capacity for growth and healing. Our sessions are a space for you, first and foremost, where you will have the space to explore the challenges and blocks which are currently holding you back. I fundamentally believe that everyone has within them everything they need to recover and thrive, given the right support. In our work together I will create a non-judgemental and supportive space in which you can do just that.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT is a structured therapy which helps you to identify and challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking and so shift damaging core beliefs you may have about yourself, other people and the world. A lot of the work of CBT is carried out by you outside the session as it equips you with tools you can use in all aspects of your life. If you have a specific issue which you would like to address through a structured CBT process we can do this together, and I also use insights and concepts from CBT more widely to inform all my client work.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT is part of the ‘third-wave’ development of CBT type therapies. It is a type of therapy which is particularly effective in relation to addictive tendencies or compulsive harmful behaviour as the focus is on defusing from unhelpful thoughts and learning to manage uncomfortable feelings without getting swept away by them and making a ‘pivot’ towards a more values-based way of living, which facilitates positive life change.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
DBT is another type of therapy developed from CBT, originally to treat Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD, formerly called Borderline Personality Disorder). The focus here is on tuning into the ‘wise mind’ which is an integration of the emotional and more reasoned sides of our minds and building skills for regulating emotions, tolerating distress and interacting with others in healthy ways.
Transactional analysis (TA)
TA is a more psychoanalytic type of therapy which identifies three distinct parts to the psyche – the Parent, the Adult and the Child. When we are experiencing life and relationship difficulties it can be helpful to identify which part or “ego state” we are relating from and work towards shifting into our rational Adult state where we are operating from Parent or Child. In this way, TA therapy helps you to gain insight into your behaviour and, particularly, your relationships with others and to make positive changes as a result.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
I am trained in a range of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques including breathwork, relaxation and meditation which I offer as supportive tools as part of our work together.
Trauma-informed therapy
I have experience of working with people who have experienced significant and complex trauma and as a result are living with debilitating symptoms such as flashbacks, dissociation, panic attacks and severe anxiety. I have undertaken additional clinical trauma training to ensure that our work together is trauma-informed and so a safe and supportive space where you will not be exposed to re-traumatisation and the impact of trauma on your mind and body is understood.
Therapeutic coaching
I believe that you don’t just deserve to recover and heal from your life difficulties but you also deserve to grow from there into a state of true thriving and living your full potential. The coaching element of my practice can support you to identify positive, future-focused goals which align with your deepest needs and strengths. I am also trained in evidence-based positive psychology interventions which I offer as tools throughout our work together.
