Julia Parkinson

 Limited availability currently for face to face, weekdays, during office hours.

Hello. Starting therapy can be difficult, so I hope to make the process as easy as possible from start to finish, and I welcome clients who may be nervous or unsure.

I’m an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist, I am also a qualified EMDR practitioner and clinical supervisor, working with adults and young people, in person, online or by telephone. My youngest client has been 4, my oldest 87 and I have an excellent track record in helping people achieve their goals and maximise their wellbeing.

I am an integrative therapist and will draw on a number of different approaches tailored to suit you. Adults may prefer purely talking therapy; but some also like to use creative approaches like art therapy, imagery work or sandtray.

I work with many different issues including complex and longstanding trauma which may be having a huge impact, however, no problem is too small. It is important to look after our emotional health and maximise our wellbeing, for ourselves and the people who care about us. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from and empty cup. So even if you just feel that things could be better and aren’t sure how to move forward, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My practice is inclusive and I enjoy working with a wide range of clients.

Having a confidential, impartial, empathic and non-judgemental space to explore difficult experiences and emotions can be incredibly helpful and may be life-changing. We will both be active participants in helping you explore, process and heal from difficult experiences, to maximise your potential and your wellbeing. Whilst therapy can explore and bring up very difficult experiences and emotions, most clients look forward to our sessions and leave them feeling lighter.

Sessions are held on a weekly basis, payable in advance, and for 50 minutes each. We will normally meet at the same day and time each week. It is hard to say how many sessions you will need - some clients feel much better after a couple of sessions and are ready to leave, others choose to come to therapy for long periods to maintain good mental health. I would suggest you allow for a minimum of 12 sessions, but we will review regularly to check that therapy is still helpful. I encourage open and honest feedback at all times. 

I hold in-person sessions from a comfortable therapy room in a multi-use building close to parking and transport links. I also offer remote therapy, online via Google Meet, or telephone. 

Confidentiality is important and I will not disclose any information about you or what you have said or done in therapy, unless there are safeguarding concerns or I am legally obliged to. I store all your information securely. 

I am accredited with UKCP, a registered member of BACP and EMDR UK, have an enhanced DBS and full insurance. I am registered as an approved provider with several private health insurers, please contact me for details. 

I offer a free, no obligation initial call to check that we are a good fit. If we are both happy to proceed, we will arrange an assessment interview which may take up to an hour and a half (payable at my normal session rate) so that I can take full history and details in order for us to identify what you want from therapy and plan how best to achieve that. 

For children and young people, I recommend an assessment with the parent / carer either in person or remotely. This is so that you can talk freely, without the risk of your child feeling overwhelmed by their problems. I will then meet with your child / young person (you can attend the first session, or part of it, with your child if they want you to) to explain therapy and identify any goals they may have.