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Julie Riviere, Counsellor and Psychotherapist at Oakwood Mind & Body

Julie Riviere

  • Counsellor and Psychotherapist
  • DipHE Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy | Post-Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children & Young People
  • NCPS (NCPS3960)
  • Based in Inverness, Highland

About Julie

Julie is a NCPS-registered, person-centred counsellor providing a warm, compassionate and trauma-informed therapeutic space for adults and young people (16+). She is experienced in supporting clients through a wide range of emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, overwhelm, grief, relationship difficulties, and the long-term impacts of trauma or abuse.

With a background spanning human resources, education, social care and life across diverse cultures, Julie brings a deeply empathetic, grounded and culturally-aware perspective to her practice. She offers sessions in both English and French, recognising the importance of exploring complex emotional experiences in one’s native language when needed.

Her therapeutic style is calm, attuned and centred around building a strong, trusting relationship where clients feel truly understood and supported.

Julie’s approach to therapy and client work

Julie practises from a person-centred foundation. She believes that every individual has the innate capacity for growth, healing, and self-understanding — given the right emotional environment. Her role is not to analyse, diagnose, or instruct, but to walk alongside her clients, helping them make sense of their inner world with clarity and compassion.
Her approach is defined by:

A safe, non-judgemental space

Julie provides a therapeutic environment where clients are free to express themselves without fear of judgement. She welcomes clients of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, spiritual beliefs and identities.

Therapy tailored to the individual

There is no rigid agenda. Whether therapy is brief or open-ended, sessions progress at the client’s pace and focus on what feels most important in the moment.

Support for emotional insight & self-awareness

Rather than focusing solely on “symptoms,” Julie helps clients understand the emotional patterns, behaviours and experiences shaping their lives — fostering deeper insight and more sustainable change.

Creative & somatic work (when helpful)

For clients who struggle to express themselves verbally, Julie can integrate gentle creative or body-based methods, such as:

    • Guided visualisation
    • Working with images, cards or objects
    • Exploring bodily sensations, tension and release These approaches can help clients access emotions or memories that feel difficult to articulate.

 

Julie’s qualifications and professional background

Core clinical qualification

  • DipHE in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy (Inverness College UHI)

Further professional development

  • Post-Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
  • COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills
  • NCPS Registered Member
  • PVG Scheme Member

Julie’s areas of expertise

Julie works with individuals facing a broad range of emotional experiences, including:

  • Anxiety & panic
  • Depression & low mood
  • Overwhelming stress
  • Low self-worth & self-esteem
  • Relationship & family challenges
  • Life transitions & major changes
  • Grief, loss & bereavement
  • LGBTQIA+ affirming support
  • Multicultural identity & expatriate experiences
  • Work-related stress & burnout
  • Emotional impacts of health conditions
  • Trauma, including the effects of abuse

 
Her focus is not on labels, but on supporting clients to explore their emotional world with honesty, safety and clarity.

Therapy with Julie – In person and online sessions

Julie offers flexible therapy options:

In-Person Sessions
At her private practice in Inverness (address optional on website – Julie to confirm).

Online Sessions
Secure, confidential therapy for clients who prefer remote support or face accessibility barriers.