Julie Strahand
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, I’m Julie. Welcome, and thank you for reading my profile.
Are you going through a difficult time and feeling overwhelmed or anxious? Perhaps struggling to make sense of events in your life, and trying to navigate your way through these challenging times. Are you grieving the loss of a loved one, feeling isolated, or trying to cope with a relationship breakup. Do you feel weighed down by work pressures, or trying to cope with a long term or recent physical health condition? All of these events, and more, can leave us feeling depressed, exhausted, anxious, guilty or fearful. It can feel like a very lonely place.
How can counselling help? Counselling provides the opportunity to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression, by allowing you to explore your emotions in a safe space. I will support you to speak openly, and make sense of your feelings and concerns. I’ll do this with respect, empathy and without judgement. As you build confidence, you will begin to realise that you have the opportunity and resources to make choices and changes. My counselling sessions provide the emotional support you need right now. I will help you develop strategies to be better equipped to cope with the challenges you face. This may be support to quieten down the inner critical voice, to challenge those unhelpful thoughts, and to change your responses to enable you to take control. Coping skills are an additional benefit of counselling. You will be able to use them in the future, if needed, to help you manage any unhelpful symptoms and thoughts that may occur. Counselling can improve your mental health and wellbeing, allowing you to move towards the peace and calmness many of you ask for. It frees up mental space by giving you the opportunity to focus and work out what is important to you and to rediscover your true self.
I have been in your shoes. I understand that, for some people, it can feel a little daunting to ask for help from a counsellor. My experience tells me that making that first move, is the acknowledgment that I need support. Seeking support is a step towards your wish to want to feel better, be more focussed, or to find your sense of purpose. Being in counselling sessions can feel like a weight has been lifted, that someone is really listening, they care about me, and I am worth caring about. It can be empowering. You will find that I am approachable, friendly, and always kind. It’s important to me that you feel heard and acknowledged.
Understanding your emotions, reactions and behaviour, in response to thoughts and feelings, helps to make sense of your experiences. This understanding, or psychoeducation, can bring clarity. I may integrate ways of working to support you as an individual, tailoring sessions to meet your unique needs. For example; Mindfulness, Coaching, psychoeducation, anxiety management techniques, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
I offer individual counselling sessions to help with issues including loss and bereavement, grief, abuse, anxiety and depression, trauma, work-life balance, and relationship issues. I work from the person-centred approach, which means you are at the centre of the counselling sessions, and my focus is on your unique lived experiences. Within my counselling sessions I provide an environment for psychological change and growth, encouraging you to speak openly and honestly. As you do this, you become more confident, recognising your capabilities and ability to move towards the life you want and deserve.
I can also support you if you wish to make some life style changes. As an Accredited Health and Wellbeing Coach I will work with you to increase self-awareness, and identify any barriers which may be stopping you implementing changes, and reaching your goals. My aim is to help you achieve your outcomes in a way that you can manage, and help you take control to maintain healthier, happier lifelong choices.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a 1st Class BSc Honours degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy from the University of Salford, Greater Manchester. I am a qualified Counsellor registered with the counselling professional body, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. As such, I work to their standards and adhere to their ethical framework.
- Trauma Informed Counselling (Open University course)
- Accredited Health & Wellbeing Coach
- Certificate in Counselling Level 2
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency
- On-line and telephone Counselling Certificate
- Qualified Mental Health Nurse
My working background is in mental health nursing (RMN) , adult social care, and health & wellbeing coaching for the NHS. I have a current DBS certificate, professional indemnity insurance and am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Sessions are £45 for a 60 minute appointment. I offer an initial free 20 minute phone call where you have the opportunity to discuss your counselling needs, and ask me any questions you may have. It is a chance for us to get to know one another a little before you make the important decision to begin therapy sessions.
When I work
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I am available from 8am-8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I have some flexibility on other days. Please contact me for current availability.
Further information
Call or email for a free initial 20 minute talk, to see if you would like to work with me or to ask any questions you may have. As I may be working, please leave a voice message and I will return your call. My counselling room is based on the first floor.
