Erica Paraiso

Dear Reader,

Thank you for visiting my page.

I'm guessing that you're here because you're struggling with some aspects of your life.

You may be looking for some impartial support. Despite loving you and having your back, your family and friends might not be able to be objective about what you're going through.

You may be wondering what I do as a therapist and how working with me could benefit you.

Initially, I help you to feel less stuck and less distressed. Then I provide support, while you discover what life means to you and the directions that you want to explore. I encourage you to use your existing skills, knowledge and expertise. I also help you learn new skills to improve your emotional well-being and create a more satisfying life for yourself.

I work in this way because I've found that once people start to recover from distress or feel less stuck in their situation, they start to look for new ways of being.

You may be struggling with facing life-changing events or important transitions. I work with individuals and people in relationships who are looking for support in the following areas: marriage/partnerships, preparation for marriage, creative blocks, sexual orientation, transition, children, adoption, separation/divorce, bereavement/ grief, physical illness, mental health, neurodiversity, trauma, your relationships with others and alcohol addiction.

When I first speak to clients, they often say that they want help with improving their communication. I usually ask what they mean by that. They'll often reply: "to be understood".

As a Relate-trained systemic therapist, I work with you to create the outcomes that you want. I help you to focus on the meaning attached to your communication. This brings a deeper understanding of yourself, your motivations and actions and the motivations and actions of others. This in turn will help you to manage conflict, prepare for life changes like marriage and having children, improving your work/life balance or making a job/career change.

I describe my approach to psychotherapy as integrative. This means that I use aspects of psychodynamic, person-centred, CBT, ACT and Mindfulness therapies to meet each client's individual therapeutic needs. Working with me could include more than just talking. We could make progress by using art and music too.

I have broadened my expertise by successfully completing rigorous courses in: telephone and online counselling, bereavement and loss, mental health, trauma, adoption and counselling supervision.

I am now working towards qualifying as a psychosexual therapist.

I work with people in diverse adult relationships, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. These includes: couples, polyamorous (multi-person) relationships, and open relationships.

This being said, counselling/therapy is not just for people facing emotional difficulties. A great reason to engage with therapy is to experience personal growth by exploring your inner world and internal unconscious processes. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and others.

Why choose me?

I don't just focus on addressing sadness, anxiety and worry. I also work with you during the good times, helping you to stay happy and find even more joy.

Individuals  £55 per hour

Relationships (2 people) £65 per hour

Preparation for marriage/Relationship check-ups   £65 per hour

Multi-person Relationships £75 per hour

Rewind Trauma Therapy £55

Supervision

Qualified  £75 per 1.5 hours

Students £60 per 1.5 hours

Group supervision: Price on application