About me
Hi, and thank you for stopping by to look at my profile. My name is Antonieta Paola, but everyone calls me "Paola". I am bilingual in Spanish, meaning that I can also connect with Spanish-speaking clients, while my experience of over 30 years living in Scotland ensures I understand the local context. I am a compassionate and nurturing person-centred counsellor registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I apply an integrative approach, meaning that I will use different therapy styles to fit your unique needs. I offer a safe, non-judgemental space where both adults and young people can feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings. My experience working at a local charitable organization has equipped me to work effectively with a diverse adult population, while my time at a high school has polished my skills in connecting with younger individuals. My ability to listen deeply allows me to untangle your feelings while guiding you through your challenges with empathy and understanding. By working together, we will explore your inner thoughts but also empower you to find clarity and healing.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Dip in Counselling
- PDA in Counselling Children and Young People (CYP)
- PDA in Addiction Counselling
- Counsellor Tutor-Certificate in Working Therapeutically with Autistic Clients
- Counsellor Tutor-Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
- Pink Therapy-Certificate in Defining Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity Therapy (GSRDT)
- Certificate in Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change from SACC
- BACP registered
- PVG registered
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
I offer face-to-face sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 09:00-17:00. I offer online video sessions on Mondays and Thursdays (Evenings Only).
Sessions cost £50 for 50 mins, paid in advance through online banking.
I also offer a free 15-minute introductory call for us to get to know each other and so you can decide if we are a good fit. I believe that it is important for you to find the right therapist that you feel comfortable with and also one that can help you with your presenting issues. This 15-minute free telephone consultation will help you ask any questions and briefly describe what may be causing you difficulty. It will also allow me to explain a little about the way I work.
Further information
I provide face-to-face counselling in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute. I like to welcome you into a comfortable environment with easy access and proximity to local transportation, something that I believe is important to know if you wish to use local transport. I also offer online, telephone, or outdoors sessions, which can be a calming choice if you're feeling anxious. I work with children, adolescents and adults. I have experience of working with addictions, anxiety, friendships, relationships, ADHD and neurodiversity.
My flexible approach allows me to accommodate your lifestyle, offering day, evening and weekend sessions to best support your needs. We could discuss this through email, text, or even use the 15-minute free call that I offer to new clients.
