Linda Johnson

There are times in life when we can feel overwhelmed, worried and confused, or are finding it hard to make a decision. As couples we can reach 'crunch points' in our relationships. It can really help to talk things through with someone who is outside your network and who will be confidential.

No problem is too insignificant or embarrassing; if it is affecting you, then let's work on it together. At the first meeting I will do an assessment with you to look back over your life to make sense of how you have arrived at this point. Clients often say how helpful they find this. We will then decide together how to proceed with the sessions.

I am experienced in working with individuals over 18 and couples on a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship difficulties, stress, lack of assertiveness and low self-esteem, child sexual abuse, PTSD (Post Trauma Stress Disorder) and anger management.

I am trained in different therapeutic approaches, including CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), Psychodynamic, and Person-Centred. These approaches have been found to be effective with a wide range of symptoms and can be used for short, problem-focused work or for longer-term psychotherapy.

I am also IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed, having successfully completed the Online Circle training. See www.ifs-institute.com for more information about IFS.

I also offer supervision to qualified counsellors and reduced fees for students for whom it is a requirement to have counselling and supervision as part of their training.

I was the coordinator on the island for Yellow Door from June 2017. The charity provided free counselling to survivors of sexual abuse on the Isle of Wight until December 2018 when Yellow Door sadly lost its funding for the island. I formed Isle Support with an associate counsellor, as we believe it is a service that is much needed on the island, and details of which are below under any further information.

EMDR Part 1 and 2 certificated
LGBTQ+
Couples counselling

Supervision

£50 per 55 minute session for individuals at my home practice, either payable online prior to the session, or cash at the end of each session.

£60 per 55 minute session for couples

Concessions considered for those on low income, in financial difficulties and for students for whom it is a requirement to have counselling as part of their training.

£80 for 1.5 hours of supervision, £55 for 1 hour of supervision

Isle Support is a service offered by my associate Sarah Taylor (also listed on the Counselling Directory) and me. Sarah works from the Quay Street rooms, and I can offer sessions in Quay Street and Freshwater if more convenient.

Phone: 07490 367763

Mail: islesupport@mail.co.uk

Facebook: @islesupportwight

We both previously worked for an organisation which provided specialist counselling for adults on the island. We have had rigorous training that enables us to work safely and ethically with men and women who have experienced any type of sexual assault, violence or rape at any time in their lives, and including child sexual abuse.

We will continue to adopt the model previously used in the organisation, as it is tried and tested. This includes an assessment to ensure it is safe and appropriate to work with you, followed by up to 24 weekly 50 minute sessions.

We understand that having been sexually abused can make it hard for you to trust anyone and may affect many, if not all, parts of your life. You may be left with some or all of the following: feelings of low self-esteem, shame, anxiety, depression, sleep and self-care problems, relationship difficulties and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms. We can help you learn emotional coping skills alongside the counselling so that life feels less overwhelming.

Please be reassured that by coming to counselling with us you are always left with the choice of what you talk about, and there is no pressure to ever disclose the details of what happened to you. Our role is to help alleviate your distress.

We know that affordable counselling for adults in these circumstances is needed and valued on the island. We have a sliding scale of charges, with concessions for those on benefits or low income.

Here are some testimonials from the clients we counselled in the previous organisation. Names have been withheld to protect their privacy:

"When I was introduced to counselling, my life was very limited. I struggled to leave the house or hold conversations with people. I was given the tools, in a safe and caring environment, to begin to change how I lived my life. This has only been a positive experience for me, and although I still face challenges, I now have the tools to cope with them in a constructive way" (Woman in her 40s)

"Being able to talk about what happened to someone who looked at it (the sexual abuse in my childhood) from angles I hadn't thought of before" (Woman in her 60s)

"The counselling has changed my life" (Woman in her 40s)

"I felt safe for the first time in many years" (Man in his 50s)

Assessment (allow up to 1 hour) Free

For Isle Support clients, only. per 50 minute counselling session £20, payable by BACS prior to the session or by cash at the session