Hello, I'm Joëlle
I am a registered member of the BACP and hold a Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling from Iron Mill College. My approach is rooted in person-centred values, offering a warm, collaborative, and non-judgemental space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. Alongside counselling, I am an artist, jeweller, painter, and photographer, and creativity continues to shape my understanding of growth, expression, and healing.
My lifelong fascination with psychology, human behaviour, and the complexity of human experience led me to train as a counsellor. Having lived and worked around the world in marine conservation before entering the therapy profession, I bring a broad perspective and deep curiosity to my work. As someone who is queer, neurodiverse, and from diverse cultural backgrounds, I understand the importance of belonging, identity, and acceptance. I strive to create an LGBTQIA+ affirming, neurodiversity-friendly, and trauma-informed space where clients can explore their experiences safely and authentically.
I offer counselling for adults (18+) both in person in Swansea and online via video or phone. Sessions are £60, with a limited number of reduced-fee spaces available. A free 20-minute introductory consultation is available with absolutely no obligation or pressure.
What Is Integrative Counselling?
Integrative counselling is a flexible, personalised approach to therapy that recognises there is no single method that works for everyone. Rather than following one specific model, an integrative counsellor draws from a range of therapeutic approaches and theories, tailoring their work to suit each individual’s unique needs, experiences, and goals. At its heart, integrative counselling is collaborative, focusing on building a trusting relationship where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to create meaningful change.
Areas Of Interest & Specialisms
- Anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties
- LGBTQIA+ affirmative counselling
- Neurobiology
- Self-harm
- Neurodivergence
- Domestic abuse and domestic violence
- Trauma
- Creative therapeutic work, including: dreams, Gestalt techniques, metaphor, and artwork exploration
This list is not exhaustive, as my experience and expertise extend across a wide range of additional areas.
Client Review
Joelle is a great Counsellor; she brings not only a lot of empathy but also a range of interpersonal skills that helped me open up and be myself during her sessions.
Every session felt like I was visiting an old friend who helped me unpack my issues and have a clearer plan on how to manage my anxiety.
I highly recommend Joelle’s services and I look forward to attending my next session.
Muhammad
FAQs
What is integrative counselling?
Integrative counselling is an approach that draws from a range of evidence-based therapeutic models rather than relying on just one. Every person is unique, so I believe therapy should be too.
My practice is rooted in person-centred therapy, while also incorporating elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), attachment theory, existential therapy, psychodynamic thinking, psychoeducation, and creative therapeutic approaches where appropriate.
Rather than trying to fit you into one specific way of working, I tailor therapy to your individual needs, personality, and goals. Together, we'll find an approach that feels right for you.
Lots more detail and information can be found here!
What happens in the first counselling session?
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and decide whether we're a good fit.
We'll go through the counselling agreement together, discuss confidentiality and its limits, answer any questions you may have, and talk about what integrative counselling looks like in practice. We'll also begin exploring what has brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together.
There's absolutely no pressure to tell me everything straight away. Therapy moves at your pace, and we'll work together to create a safe, supportive relationship where you feel comfortable sharing when you're ready.
What is LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy?
LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy is an approach to counselling that actively recognises, validates, and celebrates diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship styles.
In an affirmative therapy space, you shouldn't have to educate your therapist about your identity or worry about being judged. Instead, therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where you can explore whatever has brought you to counselling, whether that's anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, grief, self-esteem, identity, or simply wanting to understand yourself better.
I don't see anything about your identity that needs to be "fixed." Many of the challenges LGBTQIA+ people experience arise from discrimination, stigma, minority stress, or feeling misunderstood—not from being LGBTQIA+.
As someone who is queer myself, I understand many of these experiences firsthand and aim to offer a therapeutic relationship where you feel genuinely seen, respected, and accepted exactly as you are.
How many sessions will I need?
Unfortunately, there isn't a magic number.
Some people find short-term therapy of around 6–12 sessions helpful, while others choose to work together over many months or even years.
We'll review our work together approximately every four sessions to ensure therapy continues to meet your needs and feels beneficial.
You're free to end counselling whenever you choose. If possible, I encourage us to have a planned ending session so we can reflect on the work we've done together and bring therapy to a meaningful close.
Do you offer online counselling?
Yes!
I offer both online video sessions via Google Meet and telephone counselling throughout the UK.
Sessions last 50 minutes and are charged at the same rate as face-to-face appointments (£60 per session).
Can I have therapy if I'm neurodivergent?
Absolutely.
Working with neurodivergent adults is one of my specialist interests, and I recognise that therapy isn't "one-size-fits-all."
Together, we can adapt sessions to suit your needs. This might include booking appointments during quieter times of the day, having ambient music in the background, using telephone sessions if video feels uncomfortable, incorporating more structured CBT-style techniques, using creative approaches, taking movement breaks, or using fidget tools during sessions.
You're also welcome to let me know about any adjustments you'd find helpful before we begin or at any point during our work together.
What's the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The terms "counselling" and "psychotherapy" are often used interchangeably, and there is a great deal of overlap between the two.
Generally speaking, counselling tends to focus on specific difficulties, life events, or current challenges, while psychotherapy often explores deeper or longer-standing emotional patterns, past experiences, and unconscious processes.
In reality, many therapists use both approaches depending on what each client needs.
Will you give me advice?
No.
Rather than telling you what you should do, my role is to help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences so that you can make decisions that feel right for you.
I may offer psychoeducation, reflections, observations, or therapeutic challenges where appropriate, but I won't tell you how to live your life. I believe you are the expert on your own experiences.
Is everything I say confidential?
Yes.
Everything you share with me is treated as confidential.
There are a small number of legal and ethical exceptions where I may need to break confidentiality, such as if I believe there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, concerns about the safety of a child or vulnerable adult, or if I am legally required to disclose information.
We'll discuss confidentiality in detail during our first session so you know exactly what to expect.
How often will we meet?
Most clients attend weekly sessions, particularly at the beginning of therapy, as this helps build momentum and establish a strong therapeutic relationship.
As therapy progresses, some people choose to move to fortnightly sessions. We'll decide together what feels most appropriate for your needs.