Information Density: Julia Samuel – Signal Evidence & AI Readability

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[H2] My professional experience and qualifications enable you to know that I have the relevant training and rigour to do this work, but grief is profoundly personal and job titles are not; so I would also like you to know what has motivated me for the last 33 years to work as a psychotherapist, loss being central to my work, whether through death or life events.
Read more about Julia
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This podcast is an opportunity to listen to therapeutic dialogues about the challenges we all face in life. It may stir deep emotions, yet these are the very emotions that can illuminate our lives in unexpected ways.Learn more
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[H3] Support
My toolkit of support, to help you through life’s challenges with knowledge and increased confidence.Find support
[H3] Podcasts
Explore all of Julia’s podcasts and guest appearances.View podcasts
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[H3] Events
Julia wants to meet you. These are the places and times you can meet her – catch all her future events and speaking dates.Find an event
[H1] Julia's Books
Julia's trio of Sunday Times bestsellers full of personal stories and powerful insights from which you can transform your life.
[H2] Grief Works
Be supported through your grief. Learn how to manage your most painful emotions - from anxiety to guilt, to anger. Develop everyday routines which ground and soothe you. Discover how to have honest, helpful conversations about death to get the support you need.Get the app
[H3] Tips & Wisdom
Sign up to the Therapy Works Substack for tips and wisdom for extra help navigating life’s challenges.Subscribe to Substack
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[H1] My professional qualifications let you know I have the training, experience and rigour to do this work. However, grief is personal, job titles are not. I would also like you to know what has motivated me for the last 33 years. As a psychotherapist, my focus has been on the many psychological problems sparked by loss. I've written books about grief, families and how to change.
My first counselling job was as a volunteer for Westminster Bereavement Service; when I would step into homes of people whose children had for instance, died in a car crash or their husbands had died of a heart attack. Although I felt daunted, inadequate and scared in the face of the anguish, I knew early on, that I had found the job for the rest of my life. I then went on to work in the drop-in centre of MIND.This was followed by a more formal counselling training at Westminster Pastoral Foundation and I gained experience from another two years of volunteering. At the time I was Chairman of the fundraising arm of the charity Wellbeing (formerly Birthright), which opened my eyes to the devastation caused by infertility and the death of a baby.
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[H2] It led me one sunny morning, persuading a board of Obstetric Consultants at St Mary’s Hospital, to take me on as their first counsellor; to support the families whose babies and children had died.
I worked there for the next twenty-three years. I learned from those families, that the response they received at the time of the death; how they were spoken to, the choices and information they were given, and how much time they had with their child before and after the death, all had a significant impact on how the grief progressed.It inspired a determination in me to take that learning beyond my room in Paddington, out into the world. So with Jenni Thomas as Founder, I worked as Founder Patron to establish and launch Child Bereavement UK which is now the leading national charity that supports families and trains professionals when a child dies or when a child is bereaved. Until September 2019, Child Bereavement UK was the central focus of my work and my life, and after twenty-five years I made the decision to step down from my active role in the charity as a Trustee, although I remain a Founder Patron and keen supporter.The more I have learnt the more I have realised what I don’t know, both practically and psychologically. I wanted to know what more could I offer. What more could we do psychologically? Why was that person behaving in such a way? And why would I say one thing, but hold back what I really wanted to say - how could I find a way of saying it all? Deeply listening to their response, what was going on in them, and how to broaden the lines of understanding and feel connected to that person.
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[H2] This questioning has never left me, and has led me to do years of further training, like my Msc,. But also teaching; where I’ve loved the sharing of ideas, but most importantly, seeing the relief in people’s eyes when it dawns on them - they can do this death and dying thing, and the grief thing, this talking and feeling thing, it only requires the courage to dare.
Now I work in private practice, my work with clients will always be at the heart of what I do and who I am.  It was from here that I wrote my first book: Grief Works followed by This Too Shall Pass and most recently ‘Every Family Has a Story. Writing the books was an intensely private process, finding words for the stories that lay deeply within me, to coherently describe what I had learned, which I hoped would be helpful to those reading them. The gift of my books, all, fortunately, Sunday Times bestsellers and published in over 30 territories, is that it took me out of my counselling room and into a more public facing place. I met my readers, other authors, therapists and have learnt so much.From my first day as a Volunteer counsellor I didn’t set out with a fixed plan. I have followed by instinct and curiosity what ignites my energy and where I can connect to others. At the heart of all that I do, is a wish for connection to others. Ideally, a meaningful connection.Where this led me in the last few years is the development of my Grief Works app which is a programme of active support. The app contains 28 sessions of grief-specific advice. It also offers a toolkit of practical resources to help manage grief. With the option of live 1-to-1 text chats with a bereavement counsellor too.The project that is my other main focus, is the podcast I share with my daughters—Emily and Sophie -Therapy Works. Here, I invite guests into my therapy room,  both known and unknown voices about some of life’s biggest challenges.I hope you find what you are looking for on my website. I look forward to building and knowing you, my audience and responding to your needs.Julia
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[H3] Qualifications
Senior Accredited BACP CounsellorUKCP Registered PsychotherapistMaster of Science in Person Centred PsychotherapyDiploma Person Centred CounsellingHonorary Doctor of Middlesex University
[H3] Academic Articles
2014Research Dr Alexandra Pitman UCL Bereavement Research Suicide Prevention Strategy2014Member End of Life Global Forum in Palliative Care2014BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
[H3] Roles
1992-1995 Chairman Birthright Fundraising Committee1992-2015 Counsellor for Paediatrics & Maternity St. Mary’s Hospital Paddington1994+ Founder Patron Child Bereavement UK1997-2008 Tutor Metanoia Institute2001-2014 Honorary Fellow Imperial College2003+ Devised & Ran Workshops for Women: Wisdom Within/What's Next/ Group Therapy2008-2016 and 2017-2019 Trustee Child Bereavement UK2009-2012 Advisory Council ACT2013-2024 A Vice President of British Association Counselling & Psychotherapy2020 Trustee The Prudence Trust
[H2] The Paradox of Grief | Julia Samuel | TEDxBath
[H3] Tips & Wisdom
Sign up to the Therapy Works Substack for tips and wisdom for extra help navigating life’s challenges.Subscribe to Substack
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[H2] Therapy Works
Julia invites us into her therapy room as she talks to both known and unknown voices about some of life’s biggest challenges.
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[H2] Grief Works
Death affects us all. Yet it is still the last taboo in our society, and grief is profoundly misunderstood.
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[H2] A Living Loss
The art of losing and finding yourself
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[H3] Julia's Guest Appearances
Dec 2023•41 min
[H3] Releasing wind and letting the women do the work (with Julia Samuel)
Off Air... with Jane and Fi
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Nov 2023•53 min
[H3] Family Dynamics: How to Maintain Your Voice and Your Connection with Your Family of Origin with Julia Samuel
Reimagining Love
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Nov 2023•47 min
[H3] My Life In Seven Charms with Julia Samuel MBE
My Life In Seven Charms with Annoushka Ducas MBE
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Sep 2023•32 min
[H3] Julia Samuel MBE: Did you know that 15% of mental health disorders can come from unresolved grief?
Grief and Rebirth: Finding the Joy in Life Podcast
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Aug 2023•33 min
[H3] Julia Samuel on Grief
The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan
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Jul 2023•36 min
[H3] Julia Samuel MBE: Secrets to Vulnerability and Connection
The YOD Pod
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Jun 2023•1 hr 5 min
[H3] We need to talk about the surviving parent...With Psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE
The Grief Gang
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Jun 2023•52 min
[H3] Julia Samuel, MBE: Psychotherapist, Author, & Grief Expert
Grief Is My Side Hustle
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Mar 2023•34 min
[H3] Julia Samuel
The Third Act
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Mar 2023•1hr 9min
[H3] Julia Samuel on grief, post traumatic growth and dealing with our dark side
Crisis What Crisis?
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[H1] Support
Self CareApril 10, 2025
[H2] Shame and the Silent Weight Women Carry
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Read moreGriefMarch 28, 2025
[H2] To Anyone Dreading Mothering Sunday: This is For You
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Read moreSelf CareApril 9, 2025
[H2] You’re Not Crazy, Lazy or Failing — You’re Just a Woman in a World That Wasn’t Built for You
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Read moreGriefFebruary 14, 2025
[H2] Bridget Jones - Mad about a Boy: A Masterclass in Living, Loving and Laughing Through Loss
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Read moreCommunicationMarch 3, 2025
[H2] Grace Under Fire: The Quiet Power of Dignity
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Read moreFamiliesApril 9, 2025
[H2] Netflix’s Adolescence Exposes a Chilling Truth: The Internet Is Raising Our Children
Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t watched Adolescence yet, proceed with caution.
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Read moreSelf CareApril 1, 2025
[H2] Music is Medicine: Why it Belongs in Every School
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Read moreGrief
[H2] Esther Ghey: Forgiveness in the Face of the Unforgivable
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Read moreMental HealthApril 4, 2025
[H2] Crap Life Disorder: It's Not a Disorder, It's Just a Tuesday
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Read moreSelf CareApril 3, 2025
[H2] The Sanctuary of Nature in Difficult Times
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Read moreFriendshipFebruary 17, 2025
[H2] Excuse Me, Sorry, Thank You: A Very British Guide to Random Acts of Kindness Day
I often talk about kindness. It’s something I care about a great deal—not just as a moral good but as something important.
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Read moreLoveFebruary 10, 2025
[H2] Love After Loss: Navigating Dating and Moving Forward After Bereavement
Valentine’s Day can be a poignant reminder of love, companionship and connection. For those whose partner, had died it can also be a day heavy with absence, a marker of what once was and what can never be again. It is a moment that brings into sharp focus the contradiction so many grieving individuals struggle to resolve: Death ends life, but it does not end the relationship.
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Read moreGriefOctober 23, 2024
[H2] Grieving vs. Moving On: Society’s Contradictory Judgments on Healing After Loss
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Read moreGriefOctober 25, 2024
[H2] Finding Hope After Heartbreak: Coping with the Grief of Losing a Partner and Embracing Life Again
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Read moreLoveOctober 21, 2024
[H2] Spotting Narcissists: How to Identify Their Traits and Protect Yourself from Toxic Relationships
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Read moreGriefOctober 9, 2024
[H2] Navigating the Deepest Loss: Grieving the Death of a Child
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Read moreMental HealthOctober 2, 2024
[H2] The Healing Power of Dogs: How Our Four-Legged Friends Boost our Mental Health
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Read moreFamiliesOctober 2, 2024
[H2] Breaking Patterns: The Healing Force of Family Therapy
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Read moreGriefSeptember 25, 2024
[H2] How to Write a Condolence Card?
While texts and WhatsApps are kind, they often get lost. Letters, on the other hand, can be kept and reread during difficult moments, even decades later. As for what to say, it’s your intention that matters more than the words.
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Read moreGriefSeptember 11, 2024
[H2] Coping with Grief after a Sudden Death
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Read moreMental HealthSeptember 23, 2024
[H2] Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): More Than Just the "Winter Blues”
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Read moreSelf CareSeptember 6, 2024
[H2] How to Combat the September Sunday Scaries: Tips for a Smoother Transition into Monday
As summer winds down and September arrives, many people experience a familiar feeling: the Sunday Scaries. This heightened sense of anxiety can creep in on Sunday evenings as the weekend comes to a close and the workweek looms ahead.
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Read moreSelf CareAugust 22, 2024
[H2] Are you experiencing an end-of-summer slump?
As summer draws to a close and the summer holidays come to an end, many of us might find ourselves battling a less-than-enthusiastic mindset. The end-of-summer slump is a phenomenon that can leave us feeling unmotivated, disheartened, or simply uninspired.
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Read moreFamiliesAugust 8, 2024
[H2] Bringing Up Race: Raising Kind Children in a Prejudiced World
In an era where conversations about race and equality are more urgent than ever, Uju Asika's book, "Bringing Up Race: How to Raise Kind Children in a Prejudiced World," serves as a vital guide for parents navigating the complexities of raising children in a society rife with prejudice.
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Read moreSelf CareAugust 7, 2024
[H2] What are you carrying from the past that is no longer needed in the present?
Life is a tapestry of experiences, and each thread has a story to tell.
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Read moreFamiliesAugust 7, 2024
[H2] Navigating Life Without the Guidance of a Mother: A Journey of Healing and Resilience
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Read moreFamiliesJune 20, 2024
[H2] Preparing yourself for the work of holidays
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Read moreMental HealthJune 28, 2024
[H2] Let’s talk about men: the silent crisis of loneliness
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Read moreLiving LossesJuly 8, 2024
[H2] Acknowledging the silent grief of childlessness
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Read moreMental HealthJuly 27, 2024
[H2] How harmful is social media on our young?
Researchers have found that a simple intervention aimed at reducing our social media use, particularly among young adults, can significantly enhance mental health. Recent research conducted by the University of Iowa revealed that if young adults cut their social media usage to just 30 minutes a day, they experience a notably reduced risk of mental health problems. In fact, those who limited their social media consumption reported significant declines in levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
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Read moreLiving LossesJuly 27, 2024
[H2] Grieving a living loss: navigating life after a health diagnosis
All of us know from our own experiences that grief comes in many forms. For me, this is a concept I refer to as “living loss.” Living loss can encompass various life events, such as the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, and, of course, receiving a life-changing health diagnosis. But what happens when you or someone significant in your life receives such a diagnosis?
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 27, 2024
[H2] Know your glimmers and triggers
Glimmers are cues of safety for us and the opposite of triggers, which are cues of danger. Glimmers are sparks of joy that bring us moments of positivity, safety, or connection. Micro-moments that we can intentionally look for through the day to keep us calm.
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Read moreMental HealthJuly 27, 2024
[H2] Understanding seasonal affective disorder (SAD): symptoms, causes and solutions
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Read moreFriendshipJuly 12, 2024
[H2] Understanding hate: a complex emotion we must confront
All of us have the capacity to hate. It is as integral to the human experience as love itself. Hate is a natural emotional response deeply rooted in our psychological makeup—one that we must learn to manage effectively for our well-being.
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 2, 2024
[H2] Embracing the messiness of life
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 11, 2024
[H2] Move more, live better: tips for incorporating movement into your daily life
In today's fast-paced world, where self-care often takes a back seat, prioritising movement becomes a vital antidote to the stresses of daily life. From a leisurely stroll in nature to a soothing yoga session or the joy of dancing to our favourite songs, movement has the power to uplift our spirits, ease anxiety, and bolster resilience.
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Read moreFamiliesJuly 11, 2024
[H2] How to stay calm when your child is losing it
Parenting is a journey filled with countless joys and challenges. One of the most trying moments can be when your child is having a meltdown. These moments can test even the most patient among us. Today, I want to share some compassionate strategies to help you stay calm and supportive when your child is losing it, turning these difficult times into opportunities for connection and growth.
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Read moreGriefJuly 17, 2024
[H2] Navigating single parenthood through grief
When a partner dies, the challenge of parenting children as a single parent is one of the toughest hurdles one can face.
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 1, 2024
[H2] Doing good does good for you
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Read moreGriefJuly 1, 2024
[H2] The power of hand-written condolence cards: a meaningful gesture in our virtual world
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 3, 2024
[H2] The benefits of napping...?
Naps are often associated with the elderly or those lazy afternoons where you might doze off in an armchair. However, recent research suggests that taking a short nap—just 25 to 30 minutes—can be incredibly beneficial for your brain.
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Read moreFriendshipJuly 18, 2024
[H2] Ways to support a loved one through a period of change
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 24, 2024
[H2] Healthy ways to process anger
Anger is a natural and important emotion that provides valuable information about our needs and boundaries. However, when left unchecked, it can trap us in a negative loop, escalating our frustration and leading to destructive outcomes. We don’t want that. And so, here are some techniques I use that help process my anger in a healthy way.
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 25, 2024
[H2] The power and healing in writing letters
In an age dominated by instant communication and digital connections, the art of letter writing may seem quaint, but it holds a unique power that can be both therapeutic and transformative. Whether we are grappling with complex emotions or feeling immense gratitude, putting pen to paper can provide an essential outlet for our thoughts and feelings.
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 3, 2024
[H2] The long arm of trauma. Trauma can remain in our bodies for decades.
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Read moreSelf CareJuly 25, 2024
[H2] Post traumatic growth
Post-traumatic growth never denies the devastation of the traumatic event, which needs to be processed, but it shows that for some people the experience can lead to growth
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Read moreSelf CareMay 29, 2024
[H2] Navigating eco anxiety: strategies for finding balance and taking action
In today’s world, the looming threat of climate change and environmental degradation has sparked a wave of eco-anxiety among individuals worldwide.
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Read moreFamiliesMay 14, 2024
[H2] How do I know if my child needs therapy?
There are no hard and fast rules about the 'right' time to seek therapy for your child. It might be that you just see them struggling and feel some help from a therapist would be useful and that's great!
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Read moreSelf CareMay 14, 2024
[H2] How to prioritise a healthy work-life balance?
It is important to ask yourself if are you are consciously managing your time and energy to ensure that work does not overshadow your personal responsibilities and life and vice versa.
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Read moreSelf CareApril 10, 2025
[H3] Shame and the Silent Weight Women Carry
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Read moreCommunicationMarch 3, 2025
[H3] Grace Under Fire: The Quiet Power of Dignity
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Read moreSelf CareApril 1, 2025
[H3] Music is Medicine: Why it Belongs in Every School
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Read moreMental HealthApril 4, 2025
[H3] Crap Life Disorder: It's Not a Disorder, It's Just a Tuesday
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Read more
[H2] Choose your focus
CommunicationLiving LossesLoveIllnessFriendshipGriefMental HealthFamiliesSelf CareSelf CareApril 9, 2025•Julia Samuel
[H3] You’re Not Crazy, Lazy or Failing — You’re Just a Woman in a World That Wasn’t Built for You
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Read moreSelf CareApril 3, 2025•Julia Samuel
[H3] The Sanctuary of Nature in Difficult Times
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Read moreGriefMarch 28, 2025•Julia Samuel
[H3] To Anyone Dreading Mothering Sunday: This is For You
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Read moreFriendshipFebruary 17, 2025•Julia Samuel
[H3] Excuse Me, Sorry, Thank You: A Very British Guide to Random Acts of Kindness Day
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Read moreGriefFebruary 14, 2025•Julia Samuel
[H3] Bridget Jones - Mad about a Boy: A Masterclass in Living, Loving and Laughing Through Loss
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Read moreLoveFebruary 10, 2025•Julia Samuel
[H3] Love After Loss: Navigating Dating and Moving Forward After Bereavement
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Read moreGriefOctober 25, 2024•Julia Samuel
[H3] Finding Hope After Heartbreak: Coping with the Grief of Losing a Partner and Embracing Life Again
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Read moreGriefOctober 23, 2024•
[H3] Grieving vs. Moving On: Society’s Contradictory Judgments on Healing After Loss
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Read moreLoveOctober 21, 2024•Julia Samuel
[H3] Spotting Narcissists: How to Identify Their Traits and Protect Yourself from Toxic Relationships
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Read moreGriefOctober 9, 2024•Julia Samuel
[H3] Navigating the Deepest Loss: Grieving the Death of a Child
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Read more

[H1] Press
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The Times
[H2] Dear Julia — meet Times Luxury’s new agony aunt
Jan 2025
[H3] Dear Julia: How do I approach new year’s resolutions in a healthy way?
The TimesJan 2025
[H3] The 7 ways to be resilient in 2025 — the psychologist’s guide
The Times Dec 2024
[H3] From hugs to dog walks and watching Michael McIntyre: Psychotherapist JULIA SAMUEL'S tips for a happy 2025
Daily Mail Dec 2024
[H3] How to have a stress-free Christmas — our experts’ survival guide
The TimesDec 2024
[H3] Lonely at Christmas: 6 of your questions around tinsel season blues, answered by a therapist
Womens HealthOct 2024
[H3] How to be a good parent to your adult children?
The TimesOct 2024
[H3] Dear Julia: Do I love my friends more than they love me?
The TimesOct 2024
[H3] Can you teach empathy? As a psychotherapist I’d say yes
The TimesJul 2024
[H3] ‘Five months ago I developed a rare palsy — here’s what it taught me’
The TimesJul 2024
[H3] Dear Julia: How do I tell my best friend to break up with her boyfriend?
The Times
[H3] Tips & Wisdom
Sign up to the Therapy Works Substack for tips and wisdom for extra help navigating life’s challenges.Subscribe to Substack
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