Julie Gosheva

I currently offer sessions on:

Tuesday and Thursday until 9PM

Wednesday until 6PM

and Friday until 5PM.

I offer in person, Zoom, and telephone sessions.

My availability for initial calls is flexible.

How I work

I find each person brings a unique set of needs, values, and lived experiences to therapy, so a bespoke approach is required. As an integrative therapist, I am trained to combine a range of therapeutic approaches in a way that is appropriate for you. We may explore your early life and its impact on you, we may work with unconscious material, your relationship to your social and cultural environment, emotions or memories held in the body, or we may work creatively using colours, images, words, music, etc.

I believe we are profoundly impacted by our experiences in relationships. The quality of our relationships affects the way our brain and nervous system develop, our ability to feel and process emotions, and to connect with one another. My practice is informed by the notion that healing also happens in relationship, including the therapy relationship.

I will take the time to understand the concerns which brought you to therapy from your perspective. I will guide you to develop deeper understanding, and a sense of empowerment and choice around the things that trouble you. I believe that you are the ultimate authority on you, so we will work together to find a strategy that feels right you. Therapy with me will be a dialogue, in which we both have a voice, and permission to be who we are. 

Areas of specialism

Loneliness, connection, and belonging

We live in an individualist culture that promotes independence and esteems monogamous romantic relationships. This leaves many people under-resourced, disillusioned, and self-doubting. Loneliness has become a problem of epidemic proportions. Among a socio-political climate of division, many are questioning what it means to belong, and how to foster community. This process is further complicated by personal histories of loss and othering. I offer a space to meet the pain of disconnection with compassion, and discover ways of inviting more fulfilling interactions.

Gender and sexual fluidity

While gender and sexual diversity are gaining greater recognition in the public eye, there is still little space afforded to questioning, being ‘in-between’, and moving fluidly between polarities. Queer people face a lot of pressure to be certain about their identity, to choose a ‘box’, and stay there. This reflects a wider colonial tendency to categorise individuals as a means of controlling expression and desire, and upholding patriarchal norms. There is joy in the permission to be more than one thing, and in my sessions, I offer a space to play and explore the multitudes of your personhood.

Training, qualifications & experience

I hold a postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling from the Minster Centre, quality assured by the Quality Assurance Agency for higher education.

I hold a 1st class Bachelor of Science with Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Bristol, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

I have completed short courses in Mindfulness-based therapy (offered by West London NHS Trust), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; offered by leaders in the field: Richard Bennett and Joe Oliver).

I have worked in a variety of client-facing clinical roles in mental health services within the NHS, private and charity sectors, and the criminal justice system.

The first session with me is a chance for us to meet and start building a sense of how we might work together. You will have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have, and to tell me a bit about what you’d like support with. There is no need to prepare for this, though it may be helpful to have a think about what is going well and less well in your life. I will ask you some questions to help me understand your concerns, and to ensure it is within my competence. We will do a brief risk-assessment to ensure any risks are managed appropriately. I will ask if there is anything you want me to know about your intersectional identities and your life history. I will ask about experiences of previous therapy. If we are meeting in person, I will also show you the facilities and fire exits.

If we decide to continue working together, I will send you a contract, explaining the relevant details and boundaries of our work.