Explore what truly matters to you in a safe and supportive space.
picture by @gvgraphica
“The greatest gift you can give another person is the present of your full attention.” Irving Yalom
Hi I’m Julia.
Life isn’t always easy to figure out—and you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or just exhausted from holding it all together, I offer a space where you can pause, unpack, and make sense of what’s going on.
I work with children, teenagers, parents, and adults to navigate challenges, understand patterns, and reconnect with what matters most.
Read more about my background and experience.
How I work
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People often ask about the difference between counselling and psychotherapy. Broadly speaking, counselling tends to focus on current issues — like stress, a recent loss, or a specific challenge — and is often shorter-term. Psychotherapy usually goes deeper, exploring long-standing patterns or past experiences that might be influencing how you feel today. But in reality, the two often overlap, and how we work together will depend on what you need.
My approach is integrative, which means I draw from different therapeutic models — including psychodynamic, humanistic, CBT, attachment, and systemic approaches — to tailor our sessions to you. This might involve talking things through, using creative tools, or incorporating play when working with children.
I speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and I welcome people from all backgrounds. My aim is to create a warm, supportive space where you can feel heard and understood.
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I offer clinical supervision both in-person and online, providing a supportive space for therapists at all stages—from trainees to seasoned professionals. My approach is collaborative and tailored, respecting your individual style and the specific contexts in which you work, whether that's with adults, children, adolescents, or through play therapy.
In our sessions, we can explore a range of topics, including:
Navigating complex client cases
Enhancing therapeutic techniques
Reflecting on personal responses and countertransference
Addressing ethical dilemmas and professional boundaries
Managing workload and preventing burnout
Developing your unique therapeutic identity
I also provide consultancy for clinicians aiming to establish or refine their private practices. This includes guidance on business setup, client acquisition strategies, and creating sustainable systems that align with your professional values.
Please get in touch if you’d like to know more.
Frequently asked questions
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For adults - clients over 18
The first session will focus on understanding your current emotional, physical, and mental state. We'll use this conversation to get a clear picture of what's going on, helping us plan the work ahead. We’ll define your goals for therapy, discuss important details like confidentiality and safety, and establish how we’ll move forward, ensuring that you feel fully supported and informed throughout the process.
For children under 18
In our first session, I’ll invite parents to join first, without the child, where we’ll work together to understand your child’s needs, discuss your concerns, and set goals for therapy. We’ll create a plan tailored to your family, using play and creative techniques to help your child express themselves, develop coping strategies, and understand their emotions and relationships.
If your child is under 16, we’ll regularly check in to assess progress. For those over 16, confidentiality applies unless safety concerns arise, in which case I will always speak to the child first before involving parents.
Support in parenthood
Parenthood comes with its own set of challenges, and sometimes it can help to talk things through and get some guidance. In our first session, we’ll explore your concerns, discuss the current dynamics within your family, and set goals to support your parenting journey. Together, we’ll look at practical solutions and strategies to help you feel more confident and equipped to manage day-to-day difficulties. Whether it’s family transitions or understanding your child’s needs better, I’m here to offer guidance and support. description
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Yes, I offer a free 15-minute chat over the phone or Zoom. This gives us a chance to discuss your needs and see if we’re a good fit to work together.
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The duration of therapy depends on your unique situation and the goals we set together. Some clients find that a short-term plan of about six sessions works best, while others may benefit from a more open-ended approach. We’ll discuss what feels right for you and create a plan that suits your needs, making adjustments as we go.
For children, the number of sessions will vary based on their individual needs and progress. Some may benefit from a brief series, while others might need more ongoing support. We’ll regularly review their progress to ensure we’re meeting their goals and adjust the pace accordingly, always focusing on your child’s well-being.
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Yes, I currently accept Aviva, Allianz, AXA and WPA. Please check with your provider to confirm if your policy covers my services. If you need any assistance or specific details for reimbursement claims, feel free to contact me.
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No, I don’t work with couples. However, I do work with parents to provide support and guidance for family dynamics and challenges.
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Yes, I’m happy to work either face-to-face or online. When online, I prefer Zoom.
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I am an integrative therapist, meaning I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches to suit your individual needs. These include:
• Humanistic Therapy: Focusing on creating a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space to explore your thoughts and feelings.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helping you identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, including third wave of CBT : Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ( ACT).
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Exploring how past experiences may be influencing your present emotions and behaviours.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encouraging mindfulness and acceptance to help you align your actions with your core values.
• Play and Creative Therapy (for children): Using play and creative techniques to help children express emotions, process experiences, and develop coping skills in a way that feels natural to them.
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Postgraduate Diploma - Counselling and Psychotherapy for Children, and Young People, UEL/Place2Be, level 7
Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision, Place2Be/CPCAB accredited, level 6
Certificate of attendance: ACT essentials level 2 ( Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), The Association for Psychological Therapies
Certificate of completion: Trauma, neglect and building resilience- Tavistock Centre
Certificate of completion: Working with core beliefs of 'never Good enough' - NICABM
Webinar with Stonewall: Supporting trans and gender questioning children and young people
Certificate of completion: Adult Safeguarding Training (Level 3) Place2Be Clinical Staff
Certificate of completion: Suicide and Self Harm: Working Safely and Ethically with Clients- BACP
Certificate of completion: Neurodiversity in Girls-Sunflower Network
Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional CCATP
Certificate of completion:
The Applications of Attachment Theory to Psychotherapy-CONFER
Certificate of completion: Online Therapy CPD Training: Telehealth for Mental Health-PESI
Essentials of Trauma -Treatment: CCTP (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional)-PESI
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills for Working with Children - Place2Be
Level 2 Award in Counselling Skills for Working with Children - Place2Be
Certificate of completion: A Day on Behaviour Change, University of London
Certificate of completion: Dealing with Suicide, Childline
Certificate of completion: Bereavement, Childline
Certificate of completion: Transgender and Sexuality, Childline
Certificate of completion: Hearing Voices, Childline
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Yes, I offer 5 concessionary spaces for key workers, individuals on low pay, or university students. These spaces are available based on current availability and are intended to make therapy more accessible to those who may be facing financial challenges. If you're interested in one of these spaces, please contact me to discuss your situation and availability.
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A typical 50-minute session is charged from £75. If you're interested in booking or have any specific questions about pricing, feel free to reach out.
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I typically hold sessions Monday to Thursday, between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
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Face to face therapy session takes place in a comfortable and informal setting, just 12 minute’s walk from Clapham South or 15 minutes from Balham, South London, UK. Parking is free except for 10:00 - 12:00 on weekdays.
If you have any other questions, please
you are safe here
About me and my experience
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I’m originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and have called London home for over 30 years (though I’m still not a fan of the winter months!). Before becoming a therapist, I worked in the creative industries in both Brazil and the UK—from fashion to film—and loved collaborating with people from all walks of life. My transition into therapy began while volunteering with Childline, supporting teenagers—an experience that deeply moved me and set me on this path.
As a mum of two grown daughters, I’ve lived the joys and messiness of family life, and I bring that lived understanding into my work. I’m passionate about creating safe, welcoming spaces where people feel truly heard and accepted.
I’m also a lover of nature, long walks, and deep conversations. Travelling and exploring different cultures have shaped how I see the world and deepened my respect for the diverse stories we all carry. I enjoy good food, creativity, and the stillness that comes with being among trees. I care about fairness and inclusion, and I try to show up with honesty and care in all my relationships.
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Private Practice
In my private practice, I work with people from all walks of life, including neurodivergent clients who may be finding daily life or social interactions especially hard. I support individuals navigating anxiety, low mood, trauma, or major life changes. I also work with parents who are facing challenges in family life—whether that’s difficulties with children, navigating separation, or managing relationship tensions.
Primary, Secondary School, and Sixth Form Students
I provided weekly counselling sessions, using a combination of talking therapy, creative work, and play to support pupils dealing with anxiety, low self-esteem, mood swings, family problems, and other personal challenges. In my role, I worked independently, offering a safe, confidential space for students to explore their emotions and develop coping strategies.
Catch 22
At Catch 22, I worked to extend mental health support beyond clinical settings, providing emotional and wellbeing support to young people. This involved close collaboration with NHS Trusts, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), local authorities, and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to ensure comprehensive care and engagement.
Place2Be
As a mental health practitioner with Place2Be, I managed the delivery of therapeutic services in partnership with a secondary school, providing emotional support to young people, staff, and parents. My role involved assessing needs, offering one-to-one counselling, facilitating group therapy, and delivering training to staff on mental health awareness. Place2Be is a leading provider of mental health services for children and young people, offering early intervention to support emotional wellbeing and prevent mental health issues from escalating.
Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS)
At LAWRS, I provided individual counselling in Portuguese to women aged 16 and above. This service offers a safe and confidential space for women who have experienced trauma, domestic violence, and isolation. I supported them in reflecting on their personal experiences, understanding their emotions, and navigating the challenges they face in their lives.
Childline
My experience in counselling was significantly shaped by my role at Childline, where I dedicated several years as a volunteer. This experience deepened my understanding of the complexities young people face when dealing with emotional and mental health challenges.
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Please get in touch if you’d like to know more.
What my clients say
“Thank you so much for all the work you’ve done with me over the last two years, and for staying with me through highs and lows. There is no question that my life has changed for the better!”
Adult client
“I’m so glad to have found a supervisor who is not only flexible and reliable, but also genuinely attuned to my needs as a practitioner. Our sessions feel safe, supportive, and thought-provoking..”
Counsellor, supervisee
“Julia became my weekly source of support during my toughest moments. Her understanding and guidance were pivotal in helping me navigate through difficult times.”
Adult client
“Your reminder to be kinder to myself, to search for my own resources while leaving behind a past that did not help me to move forwards, has been truly valuable.”
Adult client
“The practical tools I learned helped me navigate my challenges, and I genuinely feel better equipped to handle whatever comes my way.”
Second year university student
“Julia has helped my daughter work through some really big challenges. Their weekly sessions have been so valuable, helping her manage anxiety and social phobia. I’m so grateful for the difference this has made in her life.”
Parent of client
Get in touch
I’d love to hear from you. Please drop some details into the form below, or email me: info@juliarizzolo.com.
I’ll do my best to get back to you in 24 hours.
Your information is kept secure, used only to respond to enquiries, and never shared without consent.
Offering therapy in person
in South London or online