Julie Mitchell

About me and my therapy practice

My first career was as a police officer of 27 years service. Throughout this time,  I encountered people in all walks of life whose lives had been affected by mental ill-health. This ranged from common issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and self-harm, to complex problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder. 

I undertook additional roles to provide support to colleagues who were experiencing problems and those subject to disciplinary processes. I found the help I provided to be particularly rewarding and therefore decided, in preparation for retirement from the police service, that I would build on my BSc Psychology degree and train to be a therapeutic counsellor. 

During my training, and subsequently, I provided many hours of voluntary work to a local bereavement support service. I found that clients who were struggling to cope with their bereavement were often struggling with other aspects of their life, including relationship difficulties, physical or emotional abuse, or other traumatic events. I found that given the opportunity to talk through their difficulties, and be heard without judgment, clients felt more able to accept what had happened and be able to more forward in a positive way. 

Since starting my private practice, I have been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) which is a technique used to help clients deal with traumatic responses. This can include PTSD, anxiety / panic disorders, sleep issues, and phobias. I integrate this technique alongside talking therapy where appropriate.