Hello and a warm welcome. Sometimes it can be hard to find the right counsellor, especially if you are feeling lost, anxious, low or completely overwhelmed by life. The process of finding someone who you feel comfortable with can be confusing and perhaps a little daunting and yet it is so important to find the right person for you. I hope this goes some way to helping you making that decision. Something may have happened in your life such as a loss, a traumatic event, a relationship breakdown, or you may just feel you have ‘lost’ yourself along the way. Perhaps you feel lonely, confused, trapped or in complete despair?When you are at your most vulnerable it is even more important to find someone you can trust with your innermost thoughts and feelings. My gentle whippet, Wilson, sits quietly in my room with me and many clients find his presence calming. Let me tell you a little about how I work:My name is Julie and I am a qualified Counselling Therapist. I am also a former front line emergency services worker and a Samaritan. You will be at the centre of our time together. My aim is to create a space with you where you feel you are being held by a ‘safe pair of hands’. I welcome all the parts of you – the dark, painful and perhaps despairing parts as well as the hopeful and joyous parts. You may want to look at how you can make changes in your life to move towards feeling calmer and more content or perhaps you want to get back to your ‘old self’ again. Or you may find that you just need someone to talk to whilst you are going through a difficult time in your life.Having someone you feel safe and comfortable to talk to is so important so that you do not feel you have to cope alone with your experiences. My experience as Samaritan and a Firefighter means that I can be alongside you and accept whatever you might want to bring to our sessions in a calm and accepting way. Wilson the Whippet is also very much part of the calming, safe environment I offer.