Julie-Anne Baker

Therapy with Julie-Anne

I'm a qualified pluralistic/integrative counsellor providing therapy for individuals tailored to their needs and work from a perspective that instead of doing therapy 'to you', I work 'with you'. This means I may share my knowledge and expertise with you, and you share your knowledge and expertise on yourself/your life with me. Many of my clients who have tried standardised or self-help approaches for areas such as anxiety, stress and burnout, find my collaborative way of working helpful. Furthermore, many of my clients are neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, learning disabilities etc) or are carers, and find my knowledge of therapy, mental health and their general life experiences helpful, whilst still being able to be heard, listened to and respected as individual people with unique experiences, strengths and challenges.

So what does being a pluralistic counsellor actually mean?

Pluralistic counsellors work from the belief that each client is unique and that different therapeutic methods and approaches will help different individuals at different points in their journey. We also value client perspectives and preferences and collaborate with you to create a tailored therapy to you. Essentially, this means, I work from a client-centred perspective in a highly collaborative manner, and I consider you the expert in your life, and work with your preferences whilst bringing my knowledge and training to deliver the best support for you. 

What Therapies do I work with and tailor to you?

I integrate a range of therapies together, primarily person-centred therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and third-wave behavioural therapies; specifically acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and compassion focused therapy (CFT). Additionally, I often work with transactional analysis (TA), mindfulness and creative techniques; you can read more of a breakdown on each therapy on my website link to my profile. The therapy modalities used may naturally flow in and out of sessions in response to what you tell me in session and/or it may be during an intro call I tell you what could be a helpful approach or you may have an idea of what you would or would not like to use.

Who do I work with?

I work with children (7+), teenagers and adults (young adults to older adults) for both long and short term therapy. I often work with individuals who feel stuck, anxious and ruminate (overthink) and want to feel safer and more secure and get out of the cycle of fighting their thoughts and feelings and want to stop doing things that make them feel worse but they just can't stop. I mainly work with clients who are neurodivergent (specifically autism, ADHD, learning/intellectual disabilities and specific learning disabilities e.g. dyslexia) to provide counselling from a counsellor with lived and professional experience within these areas which means you don't have to spend heaps of time explaining your neurodivergence to me and I'll adapt my therapeutic approach to meet your needs to actually be achievable and supportive. Additionally, I have a keen interest in those who are unpaid and/or young carers (or siblings of a disabled brother or sister) who want a space to be heard and understood and not given standardised and unrealistic support for their needs. Furthermore, I have a wealth of experience working with children and young people/adolescents and provide an adaptable space for them to explore their mental health.

What Happens Now?

When you send me an enquiry I will either let you know if I am not a suitable fit and signpost you elsewhere or I will invite you to schedule a free (up to) 25 minute introductory call with me; this allows me to explore what you need/are looking for, how I work and what I can offer, and practicalities such as availability. If we agree to move forward I will email you a copy of my contract and details of our scheduled session. Our first session may be more goal/solution focused and you may leave the session with resources to start testing and exploring or the session may be more exploratory; either way I will work with you to build a safe relationship. How sessions progress is tailored to what you need but I will review and check in with you frequently throughout sessions and with structured reviews. If in-person you will be able to choose where you sit and I encourage you to let me know your sensory preferences when possible (e.g. lighting) and you are more than welcome to use my fidget and sensor toys (or bring your own) or any of my resources. When online the environment is in your control, so long as the space you are in is private, has good internet connection and is somewhere you feel safe;, than the session is good to go ahead.

Training, qualifications & experience

• BA (Hons) Counselling and Therapeutic Practice - First Class Honours - 2024

• Facilitating Therapeutic Groups - Creative Counsellors - 2024

• ASIST Suicide Intervention Training - 2024

• CYP Suicide First Aid - 2024

• Makaton level 1+2 and Makaton with singing - 2022

• Playwork OCN - Level 1 - 2019

I have previously worked as a support worker for a number of years for children and young people with complex disabilities, neurodivergence and additional learning needs (from 0-18). As well as working alongside the families/carers to provide support, and I am currently a personal assistant. 

I have been a volunteer counsellor in a schools counselling service, low-cost counselling charity and in a Christian charity offering both long and short-term counselling, in-person, online and via telephone.

I have volunteered in a number of settings with children and young people for a number of years such as with local young carers services, play services and in scouting.

I have also been involved in a number of advocacy and research projects relating to the themes of young carers, young people, mental health/wellbeing and neurodivergence. I hold myself to high standards to continuously learn from diversity and social justice movements and to listen to the experiences of those that are different to mine.