coaching

shopcatI work with people who have lived experience of psychiatric services, or who befriend or care for someone with lived experience of mental health crisis, breakdown, and/or chronic distress. This may include periods of hospitalisation, medication and one or more diagnostic labels. They are trying to integrate this experience into their life in a meaningful way.

I’ve been there: I have been using mental health services for over a decade, and have been hospitalised twice during extreme states of what is typically called psychosis. I have also for many years been a carer of close family and friends who have similar experience. I understand what it feels like to live through this disruption and to learn to make sense of it.

As your coach, I hold a space for you in which you can:

  • contextualise your experiences;

  • explore your mad identity and your relationship to madness;

  • learn to trust and value lived experience;

  • develop strategies for integrating your experience with the world around you;

  • establish goals and plans that align with your authentic self;

  • find joy, purpose and mad pride in your unique perspective.

My coaching style is warm and engaging, and I walk alongside you as you take each step of contemplation and learning. This is neither therapy nor counselling and I do not offer instruction, diagnosis or treatment (though I am happy to work in parallel with other professionals.) As a coach, I listen carefully and I hold a space for you in which to explore your ideas, experiences, aspirations and goals. This process leads to mad pride, clarity of purpose and the nurturing of community.

Testimonials

“I have the great fortune to work together with Julia as my coach. She has been shining a light for me on a regular basis for almost two years now. Julia is genuinely warm-hearted, kind and generous. Our meetings feel expansive, always bringing clarity grounded in Julia’s non-judgemental, wise nature. She enriches my life, and I am very grateful to have her alongside me.” N.O.
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“I love working with Julia and look forward to our monthly coaching sessions. She is helping me build my private therapy practice and is also providing support for managing my eco-grief and anxiety. Julia has this quiet, encouraging presence that makes me want to tell her things. She is an active listener who listens deeply and helps me hear myself better. She helps me see where I am confused or stuck, and what the next steps forward are. I feel she is 100% interested in me and my work, and fully committed to helping me reach my goals. I cannot recommend Julia highly enough. She is clearly a bright and caring woman who puts her clients first and helps bring light to dark places.” M.R.