'Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, be the Awareness behind them - Eckhart Tolle
'Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, be the Awareness behind them - Eckhart Tolle
Jocelyn Meli Therapy
Specialist Trauma Therapy & Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Shared Journeys
'The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.' Carl Rogers
Ange
2020
We set some pretty ambitious goals and in the time we worked together, Joss gently yet firmly guided me through divorce, rebuilding my relationship with my children, finding my own place to live, and recovering from a major illness. It's incredible looking back now, from the new life we manifested for me, at how far we travelled together."
Thomas
2024
"My experience, like so many others, showed that PTSD isn’t something you can hide or run away from.
No matter what you do, or what you try to avoid, the terror and irrationality will catch up with you, unsparing, changing you as a person unless you confront and deal with it. I know that, when you’ve been seized by PTSD, it can seem impossible to see any hope, let alone a route out. But that’s a PTSD lie. The truth is that there is a way out, but the catch is that you can’t get there by yourself, you need help, and that help has to be skilled, patient, knowledgable and compassionate - four words which sum up the abilities and character of Jocelyn Meli. It can be hard, especially when you’re suffering, to find the trust required to commit to therapy. This is why honest, experience based testimonials are so important, and this is mine. Don’t hide from PTSD, certainly don’t try to live with it, you have to deal with it for the sake of yourself and those around you. Therapy is the only answer, and the quicker you commit to it, the better the outcome will be. Don’t be kidded, you can’t just sit and listen, it’s really hard work with a lot of mountains to climb, but I promise that the view from the top will give you your life back. Finally, nobody, but nobody, is better equipped to show you the route out of PTSD, keep you on the right path and encourage you to complete it than Joss. You can trust her, I can vouch for that.
David
2024
as I saw no improvement after previous therapy elsewhere. I had grown up in a very cold family and was the focus of constant criticism and as a result had very low self esteem. Not just from parents, but extended dysfunctional family. Joss explained the process and asked me to trust that process. She immediately gave me techniques to help whilst the therapy started. I learned quickly that through these techniques that I wasn't the 'problem child' but I was in a toxic environment with damaging parents who knew no better themselves. We went through the process which she often stressed "trust the process". We started by creating a timeline of my life and concentrating on key events, processing these. I learned to nurture my inner child who I realised I had abandoned. She walked me through the sessions and we followed a process going through different phases. We only moved on to the next phase when I was ready and I was never rushed. I learned so much about myself and have been given techniques I can use for the rest of my life. At the end of this process I could not believe the improvement. Not only had I improved so much, but I was better and had far more insight into myself. I really couldn't see a way out of my situation and thinking, but I trusted the process and it worked. Joss is patient and so quick to spot erroneous thinking and I would very much recommend her."
Amelia
2022
and I came to her at a point in my life where I felt really really broken and like I’d lost my identity. Joss struck the balance between compassion, kindness and realism perfectly and she helped me navigate my way back to myself. When I came to Joss I over burdened myself with expectations of how I thought I should be feeling, how I should be coping and/or what I should be doing and achieving. Joss taught me the most important lesson - to be compassionate and kind to myself - and arguably I reap the greatest benefit from that every day."
Carola
2023
literally a mess, and after 3 sessions with Joss, I started coming back, I see significant results just by applying the techniques she has shown me. Her work is very compassionate, she has a strong energy that helps me navigate deep levels of myself, find my own power and fully commit to the process. She was very good at helping uncover patterns and behaviours that were sabotaging my life. Also, it was my first time using EMDR techniques and it was amazing how well it worked for me, it really surprised me. I always felt supported and guided by Joss; she made me feel safe throughout the entire process. I was diagnosed with PTSD, and after a year with Joss, I can confidently say that I have survived. I highly recommend her sessions".
Jill
2023
Anxiety and learnt behavioural patterns and belief systems were crippling me from reaching my full potential, connecting with my authentic self, seeing a path forwards and being happy. Joss’s kind, compassionate and caring approach always made me feel safe. She created a judgement-free space where I felt supported and heard. Working with Joss has been nothing short of transformational for me. Her holistic approach, applying different techniques and methods where necessary, meant that we could work through many different issues. Working with Joss has guided me through some really difficult times mentally, helped me to connect with my authentic self, build my resilience and transform my life, as well as make decisions for myself that better align with who I am. I am so much happier and have a much healthier outlook on life. I will forever be grateful for this gift and finding Joss".
Oliver
2022
moving to a new area, having a young family, and nowhere to turn for support; it became apparent that help would be needed to prevent irreparable damage to family, relationships and self worth. Joss was able to step into the gap and was incredibly flexible in offering her support. She expertly guided me through the process to turn negative behaviours around while also providing an ear when needed. I would highly recommend anyone who is in a difficult place to talk with Joss."
Kate
2021
Early on in our working relationship I was struck by how ‘well heard’ I felt by her - that she very quickly got where I was coming from, and would reflect this back to me with clear insight. I soon learnt that I could bring anything to our sessions, even my reservations about therapy itself, and that it would be well received, without judgement. I felt safe. As our relationship developed I also appreciated the way that Joss welcomed my lead sometimes in the way that we would work. She felt fluid, not fixed, in her approach, and at the same time I always felt completely held. Often we would talk about events/feelings, sometimes work with dreams/guided imagery, sometimes sit in quiet contemplation of a particular issue. I found her reflections to be extremely astute, insightful and deeply compassionate. She was neither too hands-off nor too hands-on in her comments - it was the perfect balance for me. I would highly recommend her as a therapist."
Lys
2023
Joss gave me the tools and coping mechanisms to deal with my reactions to my situation so I could then look after myself and get things into manageable chunks. Joss helped me put things in perspective and to see that I had a right to feel safe. Her patience and non-judgemental approach was invaluable. I was at first unsure how I would respond to zoom sessions but Joss made them seem no different to face to face meetings."
Hugh's story... 2023
I'm 66 year old male. and am coming to the end of 17 months of counselling with Joss. This is probably the best thing I've done for myself... ever.
I grew up in a family with a lot of arguments, fear and constant vigilance... my father was an alcoholic, who, mostly, emotionally abused me, and I witnessed physical abuse of my mother. I was ridiculed , threatened with death and made to feel worthless. This went on for years. I've experienced difficulties trusting people, and have found romantic relationships particularly challenging. I've felt undeserving of love, but also become dependant on love from outside of myself. I've suffered from depression for almost all my life. At times suicidal and hopeless of any future.
The work with Joss has focused on helping me work though the trauma from my childhood. The therapy has involved, learning to recognise my feelings, name them and understand the links and the difference between thoughts and feelings. I've learned also to use physical body " tapping" and breathing techniques to better regulate my previous behaviour which would cause me to shut down my feelings and shut other out of my life. This has involved acknowledging and working through my "triggers". Once I was better able to manage my and "control " the automatic "flight or fight " behaviour, I could then start work to reprocessing some of the specific "traumatic " incidents. Through IRRT I was able to leave the Trauma " in the past " while continuing to nurture myself now and my self as the helpless child I was then.
This work took time, at times I wanted to give up... but I'm so thankful I continued.
This has been an extraordinary adventure, not easy, and at times a bit scary.
But, doing this work with the guidance, support and professionalism from Joss, has changed my life for the better.
I am now it a much stronger place to face my feelings recognising them to have much less control over me. I am more contented with who I am. I have greatly reduced my medication and I no longer shut down as a way of protecting myself. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this work.
I am on an ongoing journey of thanks for who I am, remembering to have compassion for myself and others.
Hughie
Emma's story... 2022
I have been struggling greatly for several years with my mental wellbeing, experiencing regular long periods of depressed moods, negative thought patterns, and recurrent suicidal ideation. This seriously affected all aspects of my life, and I felt completely stuck in this mindset. I felt heartbreaking emotional pain almost every day. I felt like I was unable to enjoy life.
Working with Joss has helped me completely change my way of thinking and provided me with a number of tools and coping mechanisms that have drastically improved my quality of life. I was in such a dark place that I truly didn’t believe there was any way I could improve my mental health.
The benefits I have gained from counselling cannot be understated. I have a much stronger sense of self, and compassion towards myself; I am aware of how to take care of myself and combat negative thought patterns; I have been able to pursue my hobbies again after years of feeling too depressed to do so; I have improved my physical health by exercising at the gym and fitness classes, something I would never have had the courage to do; I have been able to build relationships in this community and I participate in activities within it, which has been so important to me as a newcomer to the area.
I still have bad days, and there are times when I revert to the mental state that became the norm for me. However, the difference is that I have a wealth of tools and coping mechanisms at my disposal that allow me to combat moods that may have spiralled into suicidal thoughts followed by a several weeks-long depressive episode. In addition to this, knowing I can speak to my counsellor at any time to talk things through – knowing that support is readily available – makes me feel a lot safer and more secure.
