Counselling with Joel

Hi, my name is Joel and I’m a humanistic, integrative counsellor, but my role in the helping

professions began long before I entered the therapeutic landscape. 

Throughout most of my adult life, I have been a go-to for family members, friends, and co-workers when an empathetic ear was needed. I saw it as an honour that people felt comfortable enough to come to me with their deepest concerns, but I remember feeling the sense of responsibility that came with it, and the desire to become more informed and equipped, to ensure I did people justice.

In 2018 I started training in mental health awareness, completing a TQUK level two and three,

through The Skills Network to gain some understanding. In 2020, like a lot of people, I was

going through a difficult time during the pandemic, and had my first experience of personal

therapy. I found it transformative, empowering and inspiring, and wanted to help people feel like

I did at that moment. I started my journey into counselling training, and completed a level two

and three in counselling skills through the City of Bristol College. I then went on to complete an

FdA degree in Counselling through Plymouth University, and became a member of the BACP.

This included completing two years of placement work, which I did across two agencies. The

first was OTR Bristol, a mental health charity for young people, offering short term therapy for

people aged 16-25. The second was with Kings Square Counselling, offering long term therapy

for individuals of all ages with a range of presenting issues. I really enjoyed my time at both

placements for different reasons, and relished the challenges and opportunities they provided,

both academically and personally. I have a wealth of experience working both online and in-

person with many different themes, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, loss, self-harm,

suicidal ideation, domestic/sexual abuse, identity, and hopelessness. When I reflect on the

journey thus far, I am encouraged by our ability as humans to adapt, develop and grow.

My approach is always through a person-centred, relational, intersectional lens, meaning that I

believe in the natural tendency for humans to strive toward fulfilling their potential, and that

culture, upbringing, class and beliefs all have an impact on, and inform our human experience,

and need to be considered. I work collaboratively, through a trusting relationship, to help people

unpack, unpick and reframe any issues that they may be struggling with. As humans we all have

a universal desire for interpersonal relationships, this is why we form attachments. Because of

this, we have relational needs, which help form the framework for my approach to counselling. I

believe that empathy, authenticity and the safety of a kind, non-judgemental space, will allow us

to explore whatever comes up for you. It is within this safe space that the self can be explored

and self awareness can grow. Personal counselling has helped me to navigate through my own

patterns, motivations, defences, blind spots, and so much more. I now get to share that gift with

others.

It’s the relationship that heals (Irvin Yalom, 1989)