Julia Bell, Mainstay Counselling & Psychotherapy

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Julia Bell, Mainstay Counselling & Psychotherapy

• From surviving to thriving
• Therapy for those navigating neurodivergence, anxiety, & trauma
• Sheffield/Derbyshire based and online

15/01/2026

Dispelling the myth that only 'major' trauma and abuse needs therapy. The experience of living life, particularly for high masking autistic women, can cause trauma which is important to recognise x

08/01/2026

News years resolutions, being kind to yourself and self acceptance.

23/11/2025

Thoughts on seasons and winter.... in nature and in life x

18/11/2025

A bit of an update on what's been going on for me over the last few weeks, and lessons from the difficult stuff x

02/11/2025

You might need sound on for this - couldn't pick up all the captions due to the sound of the sea! Getting out in nature more regularly has been really helpful for me recently. What helps you with your mental health?

24/10/2025

How are autism, anxiety and trauma the same?

So, autism, anxiety and trauma all have one major thing in common – they can all lead to you operating from the survival part of your brain, the amygdala. When that’s going off like a fire alarm telling you you're in danger, then NO therapeutic approach whatsoever is going to work.

So for me therapy oftem starts with being an amygdala 'whisperer’! Once you’re more regulated and back in the thinking part of your brain ( the prefrontal cortex) we can start to figure out whats really going on.

Maybe its the masking and social communication struggles that come with being autistic. Or a specific trauma you need some help to process before you can move forward. Or overwhelming anxiety that’s getting in the way of you living your life.

Once you feel safe, heard and understood, which is the person centred approach, this picture becomes much clearer. Often being deeply seen and heard is enough for change to happen. But sometimes a different approach is needed that is more focused on the trauma or the masking. But it all comes back to the same starting point which is me offering you my nervous system to help you regulate.

21/10/2025

Hi, I’m Julia.

I’m a therapist who specialises in supporting those who are navigating neurodivergence, anxiety, and the effects of trauma. Through my own experience, I know how isolating it can feel when you’re trying to hold everything together. You don’t have to do it alone.

My family includes a range of neurodivergent experiences — ADHD, Autism, PDA, and OCD. Through this, I’ve learnt a lot about compassion, patience, and how to support dysregulated nervous systems.

Training as a therapist helped me realise that the most important lesson is self-awareness and acceptance. This isn’t always an easy journey — for me or anyone else! But it’s crucial work, and I’m passionate about helping others on this journey.

Address

Pinxton

Website

http://www.mainstaycounselling.co.uk/

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