Julie Crosby
I am an addiction counsellor of 30+ years qualifying as a therapist in 1993 under the governing body of FDAP (federation of drug & alcohol counsellors) I have mostly worked in residential settings but also worked in the community with day care services and charities supporting those who have achieved abstinence, embracing the changes needed to sustain a sober clean life.
I have personal experience of living with someone who has an addiction to substances and have seen and felt first-hand the devastating effects that addiction has on an individual and the family.
Over the years my other interest has been working with those who have experienced trauma. In 2005 I undertook training in EMDR which is a trauma therapy technique. This has been invaluable for many clients who often have trauma related issues alongside their addiction. This has enabled them to deal with underlying issues which can often become relapse triggers in the future.
My passion is to create safety for clients, to enable them to come out of their comfort zone and respond to the care, guidance and information on offer. I believe recovery should be appealing and attractive, not a task to be completed or a set of chores to be done. Recovery is a journey of change to be navigated and with help and support, clients have to opportunity to connect and recover at their own pace. Recovery can be life changing for those who are willing to do the work.
