Empowering Spaces Therapeutic Counselling

in Canterbury, Kent & online

Your safe space to heal and be heard

Counselling and therapy for individuals in a safe, comfortable and private setting

Welcome to Empowering Spaces Therapeutic Counselling

Hello, I am Julia, BACP registered Counsellor and founder of Empowering Spaces Therapeutic Counselling, and I am here to offer a warm, relational space for you if you are struggling to navigate life's difficulties.

If you have found your way here then either yourself or someone you care about could be at a point in life where change is needed. You might be feeling stuck, anxious, disconnected, lonely, stressed, or completely unsure how you feel. Life can be challenging at times, and navigating its complexities can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.

I support a broad range of individuals, both adults and young people (aged 13 years +) who come to me with a myriad of issues. With a background working in mental health services, schools, homeless shelters and a specialist rape crisis centre, to running my own private practice, I have helped people from all walks of life to process and overcome their most difficult experiences.

Central to my values is offering an inclusive and accessible service and I welcome anyone, no matter your background, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender to get in touch. I offer an actively affirming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals, and I am committed to adapting my practice to be inclusive and supportive of diverse experiences.

I can offer face to face, online and walk and talk sessions, and offer flexible appointment times. Together, we will find the format that works best for you.

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MY APPROACH & WHAT I CAN HELP WITH

MY THERAPEUTIC APPROACH - AND HOW WE MIGHT WORK TOGETHER

As the name “Empowering Spaces” suggests, engaging in therapy should feel empowering! I am a humanistic, integrative counsellor and my practice is rooted in helping people discover and harness their personal power to overcome challenges, make decisions, and achieve their goals. To do this, I draw on select psychological modalities, often weaving in trauma informed, holistic and creative methods into my approach.

The heart of my work is working relationally, as I believe that healing through connection is key. Many psychological struggles stem from past relational wounds, and these issues can often be resolved through a healthy, trustworthy relationship in the present, and I am here to offer you that relationship.

NEURO-AFFIRMING APPROACH

For any neurodivergent individuals wondering whether my approach is right for them, I would like to share that I am myself neurodivergent and a parent of neurodivergent children, and have both lived and professional experience of working with neurodiversity. If you are someone who also experiences the world differently - whether you are diagnosed, self-identifying, or simply unsure - you deserve support that honours your experience.

Being neurodivergent comes with its own set of challenges that are often overlooked in traditional counselling, but you can be assured that I take a flexible and affirming approach, accommodating the needs of you as an individual, not as a label or diagnosis. You might feel worn down by masking, misunderstood by others, or overwhelmed by day-to-day life. If this is true for you then please know you won’t be asked to change who you are or fit into a particular way of working. Instead, we’ll explore what helps you feel safe, seen, and understood.

WHAT I CAN SUPPORT WITH:

COUNSELLING FOR TRAUMA

Due to the complex nature of trauma, many people wonder if it is even the right word to describe their experience, and that’s okay.

STRESS AND BURNOUT RECOVERY

9 in 10 adults in the UK (91%) report experiencing high or extreme levels of stress in the past year, with 1 in 5 people needing to take time out due to stress-related mental health difficulties.

COUNSELLING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (13 years+)

I have worked with children and young people for many years; as a parent myself, as a teaching assistant and as a counsellor in both educational and rape crisis centre settings.

HOW CAN I ACCESS COUNSELLING?

The effectiveness of therapy hinges on the rapport between us. It is both a financial and emotional investment and it is essential for you to feel at ease working with me. With this in mind, I offer a free, 30-minute consultation either by phone or Google Meet for anyone who wishes to find out more and to see if I might be a good fit for you.

Thereafter, I offer sessions in the following ways:

A calming and comfortable space for those who prefer in person sessions in the Kent countryside, just outside Canterbury. Free parking available.

Online sessions via Google Meet, a safe and easy to use platform. An ideal option for those who prefer their home environment or perhaps have health or mobility constraints.

Combines the benefits of traditional counselling with the healing qualities of the natural environment. Sessions are held in a choice of 4 safe, risk assessed, accessible locations.

Research shows us that the rhythms of nature have the capacity to calm, heal, energise and inspire us. Outdoor sessions can help regulate the nervous system and support the body to feel grounded and safe — a valuable foundation for emotional work.

Being out in nature side by side, rather than sitting face-to-face, can also help some people find it easier to open up. The movement, fresh air, and changing scenery often help thoughts and feelings to flow more freely.

One of the unique aspects of working outdoors is that nature becomes part of the process. The environment can reflect and support your inner world. We might pause and take in what’s around us, use natural objects as metaphors, or simply walk and talk. It’s a flexible approach guided by your needs and comfort.

Outdoor sessions are suitable for many clients, though not all. We’ll discuss your needs in an initial consultation to see if this style of therapy feels like a good fit for you.

Outdoor Therapy Video

FEES AND AVAILABILITY

All sessions are £65 per 50-minute session and are usually held on a weekly basis.

To support wider community access to therapy, I reserve a limited number of dedicated low-cost spaces within my practice. These spaces are specifically for low-income earners and those currently receiving government benefits. If you fall into one of these categories, please ask about session availability during your initial consultation.

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Get in touch

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment.