Julia Wakefield-Harrey – Professional Counsellor

A personal touch is central to my work as an integrative counsellor. I offer a warm, non-judgmental space and tailor therapy to each individual, working collaboratively and at your pace. Empathy, trust, and ongoing professional development guide my practice, and I may use creative approaches where helpful.

In my counselling practice, I have the privilege of working with a diverse clientele, each with their unique backgrounds, challenges, and therapeutic needs. My work encompasses supporting children, adults, and couples, offering them a tailored approach that respects their individual journeys. Working with children, I focus on creating a safe and nurturing environment where they can express themselves freely, helping them navigate the complexities of their emotions and experiences. For adults, I offer a space for exploration and healing, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, and life transitions with empathy and understanding.

Couples therapy is another vital aspect of my practice, where I facilitate communication and connection, helping partners understand each other better and rebuild their relationships. Additionally, I am trained in EMDR therapy, an evidence-based approach that is particularly effective for trauma recovery and helping clients process distressing memories. My aim is to provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space for all my clients, supporting their growth and resilience through tailored therapeutic interventions.

My journey into counselling began with a desire to understand and alleviate emotional distress. I hold a foundation degree in counselling, a Diploma in Child Counselling, training in Couples Therapy for Depression, and am trained in EMDR. My experience spans schools, charitable organisations, and the NHS, where I have worked as an IAPT counsellor supporting adults and couples with a range of mental health difficulties.

I work integratively, tailoring therapy to each client while offering a safe, non-judgmental space to explore thoughts and feelings. I am committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based practice, with the aim of supporting individuals, couples, and children towards healing, resilience, and self-discovery.

In my practice as an integrative therapist, I employ a multifaceted approach that is both holistic and adaptive, ensuring that the therapy I offer is precisely tailored to the individual needs and stories of my clients. This integrative framework allows me to weave together elements from various therapeutic traditions, including psychodynamic theories that delve into how past experiences influence present behaviour's and emotions, thereby uncovering the root causes of distress. Alongside, I incorporate the use of the arts in therapy, which provides a powerful medium for expression and exploration beyond what can sometimes be articulated through words alone, allowing for a deeper understanding and processing of emotions.

Transactional Analysis (TA) is another key component of my approach, offering valuable insights into the interactions and communication patterns that shape our relationships and self-concept. By combining these diverse methodologies—psychodynamic understanding, creative expression through the arts, and the interpersonal focus of TA—I create a comprehensive and dynamic therapeutic environment. This approach not only facilitates a deep exploration of the self and one's relationships but also supports the diverse needs of my clients, whether children, adults, or couples, in their pursuit of healing and growth.