About The Juniper Project
Affordable Counselling & Psychotherapy in Liverpool
Our Story & Vision
The Juniper Project grew out of a profound realization during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world faced unprecedented isolation and distress, communities rallied to meet urgent physical needs: delivering food, medicine, and practical aid.
Yet, beneath the surface, a quieter crisis was unfolding. People were experiencing deep loneliness, trauma, grief, and spiritual exhaustion. It became clear that while physical survival was being addressed, the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of whole individuals was far too often left unattended.
At the same time, we saw a critical gap in mental health provision across Liverpool. Public health services faced overwhelmed waiting lists that left vulnerable individuals waiting months or years for care. Conversely, private psychotherapy was often financially out of reach for those who needed long term, ongoing support. The Juniper Project was born in Liverpool to stand directly in that gap, offering timely, professional, and accessible low cost therapy to anyone who needs a safe place to heal.
Why "The Juniper Tree"?
Our name is inspired by the biblical account in 1 Kings 19. Exhausted, overwhelmed, and ready to give up, the prophet Elijah sat down beneath the shade of a juniper tree.
There, God did not lecture him or demand performance; instead, He provided quiet sanctuary, physical nourishment, and gentle rest.
We chose the Juniper tree as our emblem because we believe everyone needs a place to lay down their burdens and gather their strength. Our ministry exists to be that quiet shelter, a place of gentle, restorative care for those navigating the more uneasy seasons of life.
Accessible & Sustainable Mental Health Care
We firmly believe that high quality mental health care should never be a luxury. To ensure our services remain accessible to everyone, sessions are offered at a nominal cost of £10 per session for clients.
To help more people access care close to home, we actively partner within local communities across Liverpool to establish accessible therapy office locations. This is a growing network that expands alongside our practitioners, funding, and local partnerships. You can learn more about where we operate on our Services page.
The true cost of our professional therapy is heavily subsidized through generous outside support, grants, and donations. This hybrid model allows us to keep care dignified and affordable for individuals while maintaining the highest clinical standards. If you are in a position to support our mission and help keep therapy accessible for others, you can learn more on our Donate page.
Our Foundations & Ethical Standards
Rooted in a Christian, biblical worldview, our ethos is built on the truth that every single person possesses infinite, inherent worth and dignity.
We are driven by the call to love out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5), honoring the gentle strength found in community, where "iron sharpens iron" as we walk alongside one another. We hold a special heart for those who feel overlooked, marginalized, or burdened, recognizing that true compassion means caring for people in their moments of deepest need.
While our foundational heart is Christian, our services are open to everyone, regardless of faith or background.
Our registered practitioners (affiliated with professional bodies such as BACP, UKCP, and ACC) bring extensive experience working with people from all socioeconomic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Whether you have a vibrant faith, complex questions, or no spiritual beliefs at all, you will receive the exact same high standard of compassionate, non-judgmental, and professional care.
Our Values
Christ-centred
Compassionate
Professionally grounded
Trauma-informed
Hospitable
Collaborative
Accessible
Meet Our Team
Our team of qualified, registered psychotherapists and counsellors is dedicated to offering safe, professional, and relational care in Liverpool.
Michael Chesterman
Credentials
UKCP Trainee Psychotherapist, & Trustee
I am a UKCP Trainee Psychotherapist who works with people experiencing addiction, depression, compulsive behaviours, and emotional difficulties of all sorts. I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches, tailoring sessions to each individual and exploring how culture and lived experiences have shaped who we are. I also enjoy incorporating nature and the ecological into therapy as a way of supporting exploration, healing, and growth. My approach is warm, empathetic, and non-judgemental. I aim to create a calm, supportive space where you can explore your experiences without fear of criticism or shame. While my Christian worldview informs my practice, my 12+ years in cross-cultural settings have shaped my commitment to working alongside people of all beliefs without imposition.
Simon Davies
Credentials
BACP Counselor
I have experience supporting adults from a wide range of backgrounds with a variety of difficulties, including trauma, anxiety, stress, low self-worth, lack of confidence and other emotional challenges. I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling and work as an integrative counsellor, drawing on different psychological approaches to tailor our work to your individual needs and circumstances. I aim to offer a warm, empathic and non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, understood and accepted. I recognise that it can take courage to talk about difficult experiences, particularly those you may have kept to yourself for a long time. I will listen carefully and work with you to explore what is troubling you, helping you make sense of your experiences, recognise patterns that may be affecting you, and consider new ways of understanding yourself and responding to life’s challenges. Our work is collaborative and guided by what matters to you, at a pace that feels manageable, with the aim of helping you move towards greater self-understanding, confidence and emotional wellbeing.
Emily Tatersall
Credentials
BACP Psychotherapeutic Counselor
I am a Trauma-Focused and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, trained in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy and Person-Centred Counselling. I support people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties and low self-esteem. My approach explores how past experiences and relationship patterns shape our understanding of ourselves and others, helping you develop self-awareness and work towards meaningful change. I aim to offer a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, understood and accepted. Our work is collaborative and tailored to your individual needs, helping you explore difficult feelings, recognise unhelpful patterns and build healthier relationships at a pace that feels right for you. As a Christian counsellor, I recognise that faith can bring strength and hope, but also hurt or confusion. I welcome these experiences with sensitivity and without judgement, respecting each person's beliefs and individual journey.