Hi, I’m Julianne Waller, a counsellor based in Paisley offering sessions in person and online.

My path into counselling was shaped partly by my own experiences of mental health difficulties and harmful relationship dynamics. I know how important it is to feel that your therapist understands trauma, and that you can speak openly without being judged or made to feel misunderstood. This led me to become particularly interested in supporting women, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients, including people affected by abusive relationships, low mood, self-doubt and difficulties with boundaries.

As someone who is neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ myself, I bring personal understanding to my work alongside my professional training. However, I also recognise that everyone’s experiences are different. I won’t assume that I automatically understand you; I want to learn what your experiences mean to you.

My core training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I value the practical tools it can offer, including coping strategies, behavioural changes and ways of understanding the connections between thoughts, feelings and actions. However, I see CBT as a useful framework rather than a script. I also draw on ideas from Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other approaches depending on what resonates with you.

Sessions begin with what feels most important to you. We might spend time talking and processing, focus on practical strategies, use an exercise together, or combine all three. If something doesn’t resonate or an exercise doesn’t suit you, we won’t force it—we can try something different. Everyone’s brain works differently, and finding what feels useful may take a little time.

I don’t believe everyone should be placed into the same fixed number of sessions. We can regularly discuss how therapy is feeling, what is helping and whether anything needs to change. When the time comes to end, that is something we can talk about and plan together.

I hope you’ll find me warm, accepting and kind. I know that meeting a new therapist can feel daunting, so you are welcome to ask questions and take the time you need to feel comfortable.

Qualifications and professional practice

• Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy — Glasgow Cognitive Therapy Centre

• COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate

• Regular clinical supervision

• Ongoing professional development