THERAPY, COUNSELLOR, PSYCHOTHERAPIST
My journey towards hope
Hi, my name is Julie.
I am an Integrative Psychotherapist. Being integrative means I draw on a range of psychological theories and techniques to offer a bespoke therapeutic approach to match my client’s needs. Underpinning all my work is a focus on the client/therapist relationship; I offer empathy, non-judgement and the understanding that my clients must work at their own, manageable pace.
I am passionate about offering hope to adults who are struggling with mental health challenges and often with trauma.
Trauma is defined by the Oxford Languages Dictionary as:
“ a deeply distressing or disturbing experience”
We all have our own stories to tell but I often find that so many of my clients have been exposed to trauma in some form. Understanding trauma-related symptoms goes hand in hand with providing a therapeutic space to process the pain of past experiences. My aim is to empower clients; I offer hope, a place to grow, and a supportive, trusting relationship to motivate change.
I have extensive experience working with a wide range of psychological symptoms including anxiety, depression, anger, self-harm, suicidal ideation, loss and bereavement (for a full list of the areas I cover, please visit my Who I Work With page). I am also a specialist in the field of abuse and work rigorously alongside men and women who have been abused as children and adults.
Perhaps the Universe was guiding me but, when I later set up a private practice, I was determined to continue supporting people whose lives had been impacted by abuse. I understand the need to retrieve some sense of security – to be able to find a strong footing on otherwise shaky ground.
In addition to my therapeutic work, I offer professional advice and support on PTSD. I have developed a training program to teach others about the impacts of PTSD; particularly geared towards helping front-line workers understand the risks associated with their industry. I have presented extensively in this area highlighting key risks, symptoms, and subsequent coping strategies in hospitals, the Police and doctors’ surgeries.
Until December 2022 I worked alongside Victims First Specialist Counselling Service for over 4 years. I provided therapeutic interventions to victims of crime across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. I also supported survivors of rape and sexual abuse at Trust House Reading from 2014-2018. I worked for the Survivors Trust, supporting survivors of the Independent child abuse inquiry, The Truth Project (2016-17).
To help you decide if I am the right person to help you, I offer an initial 50-minute session so you can meet me and ask any questions. We will then decide what your goals are and how we can move forward together.