Julia Rivas
Counsellor in Lewes

I am an experienced psychotherapist working with adults and registered with the UKCP.

Therapy can be short-term (6 - 12 weekly sessions) and focused on a particular issue or longer term. Longer term work is helpful if there are more long standing difficulties which may have their origins in childhood or later traumatic events.

My practice is based in the village of Barcombe, East Sussex and I work both in-person and online via Zoom.

Therapy offers a space where you can bring yourself, whatever your perception of this might be, and know it will be held with compassion.

My primary training is in Core Process psychotherapy which integrates the wisdom of Buddhist psychology with western personality theory, psychodynamic and psychotherapy skills.

At its heart Core Process is a mindfulness-based somatic approach for working with personal difficulties.

Background & Counselling Qualifications

* MA Core Process Psychotherapy

While addressing the cognitive and emotional aspects of a persons distress, the Core Process approach also attends to the physiological elements. Our moment to moment experiences, the joyful as well as the difficulties, are mediated through the body-brain. By attuning to the language of the body in addition to cognition/ thoughts and emotions we tap into a deeper vein of our experience.

Research shows that trauma and early attachment problems profoundly affect the body and that symptoms are often somatically driven.

* Affect Dysregulation, Survival Defences and Traumatic Memory. Level 1 (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)

* Brainspotting. Phases 1 and 2

All are somatic approaches (body-brain based). Sensorimotor and Brainspotting are more focused on working with trauma.

* EMDR

My Specialisms

Difficulties that might make you consider therapy include bereavement, depression, trauma, chronic ill-health, work-place issues, relationship and family problems.

Approach to Counselling & How I Work

Core Process psychotherapy is a mindfulness-based approach that draws both from western psychotherapeutic models and the wisdom and compassion of Buddhist psychology.

The work facilitates the capacity to be present in each moment in order to access and work with, difficult and painful feelings. Feelings and emotions that may be restricting or keeping you stuck within a limited range of responses in key relationships and other areas of your life.

Learning to turn without judgement towards rather than away from painful feelings it's possible to develop greater flexibility, movement and responsiveness when faced with life's inevitable challenges.

We experience our lives holistically through the body-brain systems and cognitive processes.

The core process approach works by bringing attention to thoughts, feelings and body sensations helping to develop the capacity to be more present to our actual experiences without being overwhelmed by them.

Compassion for yourself and others is at the heart of the work.

Finding a therapist you feel at ease with is an important part of the therapeutic process and in recognition of this I offer a free initial 45 minute session. This gives you the opportunity to meet me and explore what you are looking for in considering therapy.

Therapies & Rates

Please note the rates detailed below are there to give you an idea of the therapists standard rates, we strongly advise you contact the therapist for more detailed rates and any offers they may have.

Therapy	Appointment Type	Rate
Psychotherapy	In Person	£70 per 60 minutes
Psychotherapy	Online/Telephone	£70 per 60 minutes
EMDR	In Person	£85 per 75 minutes
EMDR	Online/Telephone	£85 per 75 minutes

Additional Rate Information

Sliding scale offered; £65 - £80 per hour. EMDR sessions last 75mins