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Registered Charity No 327271

What is counselling?


Counselling is a relational encounter between a client and a therapist in a safe context towards an agreed aim and within agreed boundaries. The process happens through regular sessions (usually one hour) and is usually centred around talking together. The therapist assists the client to understand themselves better and find solutions to enable them to move towards their aim. Confidentiality is contracted with the client at the first session.



How does it help?


The freedom provided by this kind of relationship where the client can talk openly enables expression of emotions, pain and confusion which may not have been spoken before. The therapist is able to respond to the client and support them as they gain insight and move forward.



Approach


My foundation is a Christian approach with adherence to Biblical beliefs. I have also been trained in ‘integrative counselling’ which means that I have a basic understanding of a blend of theories, principally psychodynamic, person-centred and existential views. I find that some aspects of  these philosophies can be useful in helping us understand why we view ourselves in the way we do, what makes us respond to people and situations in certain ways, and how we might make sense of what is happening in our lives. As clients gain this kind of knowledge, combined with encountering a relationship where love, grace and truth are extended, growth takes place and they discover new freedoms. The possibility of change then becomes real.



Qualifications and Experience


I worked for many years in pastoral care, church leadership and informal counselling. Over the last 10 years I have also been formally trained in counselling, drawing from both Christian and secular research and understanding.


I have had a broad exposure to the difficulties people face, and my experience and training has helped me to build up a skills base and develop a toolkit to draw on in coming alongside people.


I have a Higher Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling and am also trained in Motivational Interviewing and Therapeutic Interventions. I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and am currently working towards full accreditation with them. I am also a member of the Association of Christian Counsellors. This means that I adhere to certain professional and ethical standards in my work.



Who needs counselling?


Everybody goes through difficulties in life, and if you feel that something is preventing you from fulfilling your unique destiny, make an appointment to see me so that we can talk about possible options for you. Examples of difficulties might be:



But there are many other areas of difficulty that I can also help with, so the best thing to do is to ask.



Location


Near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire



Contact


Julia Matthews, MBACP, MACC

Mobile: 07960 781758

Email: j.matthews@plumbline.org.uk




Clarity Counselling

Julia Matthews




In my work in different roles over the past 35 years I have had the privilege of meeting people from many varied backgrounds. I have listened to their stories and been deeply affected and regularly astounded by the unique person in front of me. These people are so rich in qualities and potential and yet have been damaged by all manner of evils. But over the years I have discovered the transformational power of God through Jesus – the way in which the most difficult of situations really can change when principles of love, grace and truth are genuinely and consistently applied. I want to thank each of these people for teaching me so much. And I also want to thank our precious Saviour for not leaving us to struggle alone with our sin and pain, but for coming right down here into the midst of it all – to live it, to breathe it, and to provide a way through.


I work to see pain healed and hindrances demolished – those things which prevent individuals reaching their potential and discovering their God-determined destiny.


I seek to do this by: