Shula Tajima

I have flexibility from Monday to Thursday and can be available in the evening if that is more convenient for you.  I try to make appointments that fit round both our schedules.  Usually staying with the same day and time, but if it is easier to move around the week that is fine.

During June 2026 there may be points when I am only available remotely, or may need to change times at short notice.  This will only affect June.

I began my training as a person centred counsellor over 30 years ago.  In that time I have worked within the voluntary sector, schools and also within the probation service.  My last role was as the director of a community based service.  This has meant that I have a diverse range of experience and I hope am able to sit with whatever a person wishes to bring.  Within my person centred ethos I want to offer you a relationship, in which you can be authentically yourself and that together we can explore whatever has brought you to enter a therapeutic relationship.  I recognise that trusting a stranger can be really hard, especially when I am asking you to be the real you, so I hope to create a space where you can feel safe.  I work predominantly remotely as I am discovering that people appreciate the convenience of this.  However, we can work face to face if you prefer.  I can also offer walk and talk therapy and together we can explore a suitable area for this.

I am not a great believer in specialisms, for me the specialist is you - you know your life - you know what life has thrown at you.  I am interested to hear what you need and want to say.  However, over the years I have developed an awareness of the complexities of the challenges that people face.  Back in the 1990s when I wrote my dissertation I researched and wrote up on working with Sexual Abuse and this continues to be an area that I feel connected to,  I am deeply aware of the impact of this and other trauma and believe that the person centred approach can be extremely respectful for people who have suffered trauma.  I have also worked with people who feel suicidal, who self-harm, loneliness or have been diagnosed with mental health conditions.  I am also interested in women's issues around menopause or fertility.  For me being person centred is a way of meeting you, wherever you are and hearing your story.

I usually offer an initial session of 30 minutes, which is free.  In this session we can go through our contract together, you can get a sense of me and you can decide if you think we can work together.  If you decide you want to continue working with me at that point we will put more dates in the diary for my usual 50 minute sessions.

I have flexible times Monday to Thursday, I have a few evening appointments alongside daytime.

I am a person centred therapist, this means I work with you, with whatever you want to bring.  I see you, not the issue, this means that we can work on a diverse array of whatever you feel is troubling you.  Person centred is a dynamic way of working, which is very much grounded on facilitating you to understand whatever you feel is bringing you at this point in your life.  I will not be telling you what to do, or analysing you, but I will try with your consent to support you in the search for insight.  This means that we can work through an array of complexities, without judgement and without feeling that you are on your own.  Because I want to see you, and not the issue, I try to avoid putting people into boxes, however after over 30 years of working, I have developed experience in many areas, particularly around trauma, sexual abuse, emotional distress, LGBTQ+, abandonment, grief - particularly through suicide, and shame.  

I work remotely, on the platform of your choice, usually either Teams or Zoom.  I offer 50 minute sessions and it is your choice if we work weekly or fortnightly.  Occasionally people choose to work together every three weeks as they are preparing to conclude their sessions.  Again this is down to you.  I hope our relationship will be a collaborative one, so I try as much a possible to make decisions together.  I will endeavour to give you the space to explore your world and make your decisions.  I know at first this can be daunting, but in my experience when the ultimate solution comes from you it has more meaning.  When I answer the question, what can you expect from me - I hope the response is a warm, open and compassionate person, who will hear you without judgement.  Sometimes people worry that a person centred counsellor will just nod along with them.  I can guarantee you will not get that from me.  I believe in being active in our relationship, whilst ensuring that you have the space required to express your doubts or fears.  I recognise that coming for therapy can be a daunting experience and I will try, as much as possible, to make the time together less intimidating.  

I offer all first time clients a complementary 30 minute session, before we commence therapy.  In this session, you can find out more about me and you can give me a sense of what has brought you to the decision to seek therapy at this time.  I will also go through my contract with you.  In this way our first session proper, we can get to the work of what is bringing you.  This is also a time for you to decide if you think we will be a good fit.  Therapy is very personal, and it is important that you feel comfortable working with me.

I am available Monday to Thursday and am available for evenings as well as day time.

I am aware that the majority of supervisees prefer remote working, however if you do want in person that is fine.  I will though during June potentially need to work remotely.  This should only affect June.

I trained in the person centred approach over 30 years ago.  I definitely bring this approach into my supervision work.  For me supervision is two professionals working together in the hope of one getting support, insight and gaining clarity.  For over 20 years I led a counselling service, holding clinical responsibility and safeguarding.  I believe this means I have a wealth of experience in a diverse range of client issues.  I also believe it gives me an insight into the issues that can impact people on placement.

I think it is really important that when you come for supervision, you first and foremost feel safe to bring everything - including and especially - yourself.  Supervision I believe is a place where you can explore what was going on for you in the session, as much as what the client brought.  I do recognise though that there is an expectation that I will have experiences that I can tap into to support and encourage your practice.  I believe I can do this with over 30 years experience with clients.

I prefer to have an introductory session of 30 minutes, this first session is free.  After that if you believe we can have a good working relationship I offer sessions of 60/90 or 120 minutes.

I have available time from Monday to Thursday inclusive.  I offer appointment from 9.30 am until 8.00 pm  

I work within the Person Centred Approach, I have over 30 years of experience and have been a supervisor for over 25 years.  In that time I have seen the power that working in a person centred way can bring into the supervisory relationship.  I believe that supervision, should be collaborative, though with an expectation that I will have insight and experience, when maybe you are not sure.  I already work with a number of trainee counsellors and I enjoy working with trainees a great deal.  Having been the director of a counselling service for over 25 years I have a wealth of understanding of the many issues and complexities that can come up when we are working with clients.  This also means I have a lot of experience with Safeguarding and am competent if your practice includes young people.  Being person centred means I want to see you in our relationship and I believe it is as important to discuss what is happening for you as it is to aim for a better understanding of your client.

I  work remotely, using the platform of your choice, though usually that is either Teams or Zoom.  Length of session is decided by you and your requirement.  Some people may use me for top up as they are getting supervision on their placement, in which case 30 minutes is fine.  Others may opt for 60, 90 or 120 on a monthly basis.  Other people choose 60 minutes fortnightly.  We will discuss what works best for you and we can always change sessions easily.  When you ask the question what to expect from me.  I hope it will be someone who is available to hear and support you, who is non-judgemental and is offering a safe space where you can explore your work.  I recognise also that you will have expectations of me, that I will ensure that I will have experience and competence to ensure that we are both working within the ethical framework.  Most of all though I will offer you a human relationship where you can flourish.

I offer all first time supervisees a 30 minute complementary meeting.  In this time you can get to know a little bit more about me, and I you.  We can also go through my contract and set up appointments going forward, if you decide we can work together.