Alison Paul

Our lives are not always as straight-forward as we would like them to be.  At times we can be left feeling emotionally and physically exhausted, or confused, or numb, or lonely, or vulnerable, or angry or overwhelmed.  We can be going through a crisis, a loss, a feeling of being stuck in memories of past experiences, a feeling of low self-esteem and sometimes we do not know why we don’t feel right, we just know we don’t feel right.

How I Can Help

Whatever you might be finding yourself faced with right now, I will help you to discover how to make sense of it.  I will do this by working with you, to become aware of your choices, and to rediscover what is possible.  In a safe space, I will make the journey with you as you experience your feelings, thoughts and beliefs.  I will help to enable you to move on to what is right for you, or to find peace and acceptance in what cannot be changed.  I believe by seeking counselling you are taking an important and courageous step in understanding yourself and yourself in the world.

My Background

My background has enabled me to connect with people from all walks of life.  I am curious to learn about different cultures to my own, about our natural world and understand human relationships.

Before I trained as a therapist, I began my working life in the business and management world, and, later, in the very different environment of health within the NHS.  I have extensive experience of working with young people within social care, including those on the autistic spectrum.    I am therefore aware of any challenges people with neurodiversity face and that there are so many strengths to untap.   I have a down-to-earth approach.

Before private practice I worked as a counsellor at a charity caring for carers of friends and family.   I helped them rediscover who they are and that they too matter. I also worked at the YMCA organisation as a counsellor - wonderful to have the privilege of sitting with and enabling young people on their journey.

I work with adults, including elders,  and teens from aged 14 years.   I will tailor my approach to your needs because everybody is different and unique.

How I Work

The most important element in counselling and psychotherapy is the quality of the relationship between us as fellow human beings - here you can be known and understood,   I am curious to learn more about you, and use my genuine  observation, deep listening and reflection skills.  My work is integrative; that is a combination of different therapies to suit the individual,  mainly by using the therapy of  transactional analysis; that is we are able to solve problems using our own intuition and full resources which can have been hidden away for a long time, and once rediscovered will flourish, if we let them. 

Gestalt therapy looks at how we define what we truly experience versus what we interpret in ourselves and the world around us, and our interpretations and subsequent behaviour can become stuck in fixed patterns, leaving us with no choices.  Being fully present in the here and now creates the potential for more excitement, energy and courage to live life more freely.

What To Expect

I can offer short-term or longer-term counselling, depending on your needs and wishes.  It may be that you do not wish to look too deep but focus on a current issue that is bothering you.  Here you will gain some insight to understanding yourself and if and when ready to do so, can return to longer-term therapy if desired.

Free and with no obligation,  I offer an initial 20-minute telephone consultation and follow-up face-to-face familiarisation session.

 Free 20-minute telephone/online call followed by

£30 for the Initial introduction session

£50 for a 50-minute session