About me
I’m Paul Hunt, a qualified integrative counsellor and a registered member of the BACP. I offer counselling for adults across the UK online, in person, and through walk and talk sessions creating a safe, down to earth confidential space where you can speak openly, feel heard, and start to make sense of whatever’s weighing you down.
My counselling style is warm, grounded, and real. No clinical jargon, no pretence just honest, human connection. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship struggles, trauma, burnout, or simply feeling lost or stuck, you don’t have to carry it all on your own. I offer a space where you can pause, breathe, and begin to work through it at your own pace.
Clients often tell me they feel instantly at ease, even online. I think that comes down to how I work showing up as a real person, fully present, listening without judgement, and genuinely caring about what you’re going through. This isn’t about fixing you it’s about walking alongside you while you explore your story and move towards whatever better looks like for you.
Along the way, I’ll also guide you with psychoeducation sharing helpful insights and tools that are relatable and understandable about how the mind works, how patterns form, and why you might be feeling the way you do. Understanding what’s going on underneath the surface can be a powerful part of feeling more in control and less overwhelmed.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, completed through Bolton and Warrington College, and I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work in line with their Ethical Framework to ensure safe, professional and accountable practice.
My background includes clinical counselling experience with Harmony Counselling Services in St Helens, a respected and long established service supporting adults with a wide range of psychological and emotional difficulties. This grounding has given me extensive experience of supporting people through grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, low self worth, identity concerns and the painful realities of parental alienation and much more. I now work solely in private practice, offering a calm, confidential and supportive space for clients. As an integrative counsellor, I draw from Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy, adapting these approaches to suit the individual. This means the work is always shaped around your needs, whether that involves exploring patterns from the past, making sense of present struggles or developing practical strategies for moving forward. My focus is on creating a flexible, collaborative and effective therapeutic process that supports meaningful and lasting change.
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
£40.00 - £55.00
Additional information
Free 20-Minute Discovery Call
Before you commit to anything, I offer a free 20-minute phone or video call. This is a chance for you to ask questions, tell me a bit about what’s going on, and get a feel for whether I’m the right person for you to talk to. There’s no pressure and no obligation just a simple, honest conversation. It’s informal, completely confidential, and it gives you the opportunity to decide if counselling with me feels like a good fit. No forms, no hard sell just space for you to be heard.
Online Sessions – £40 (50 minutes)
If you’d prefer the flexibility of working together from the comfort of your own space, I offer online counselling sessions through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp or over the phone whatever works best for you. Each session lasts 50 minutes and gives you the time and space to talk things through in a way that feels safe, private, and completely focused on you. This is your space to bring whatever's on your mind. You don’t need to have everything figured out, or know exactly what to say you just need to show up. We’ll take things one step at a time, and I’ll be right there alongside you.
In-Person Sessions – £55 (50 minutes)
If you'd rather sit down and talk face to face, I offer in-person sessions in a calm, private setting. You might find that being in the same room helps you feel more grounded, more connected, or simply more at ease it’s all about what feels right for you. These sessions are also 50 minutes long and give you the space to pause and focus on yourself without the distractions of daily life. Just a quiet, supportive space where you're free to talk, reflect, and work through things in your own time. Whatever you're bringing, you’ll be met with warmth, honesty, and no judgement.
Walk and Talk Sessions additional in person – £45 (50 minutes) (Preston)
If you find it easier to talk while moving or feel more at ease outdoors, I offer Walk and Talk sessions. These sessions last 50 minutes and take place in a quiet park in Leyland, Preston, where we can walk side by side at your pace. You don’t have to sit across from someone in a room to get the support you need. Being outside surrounded by nature, fresh air, and open space can help you feel more relaxed and able to open up. Whether you want to walk the whole time, stop for a breather, or just take things as they come, this is your time, your space, your session.
When I work
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Further information
I offer in person counselling in St Helens in a quiet, private and professional setting. The rooms are comfortable and discreet, providing a confidential space where you can speak openly without interruption. For many people, meeting face to face feels more grounded and focused, and this is the primary way I work.
I also provide online counselling via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or telephone. This offers flexibility for those who prefer to access support from home or have work and family commitments that make travel difficult. Sessions are delivered securely and in line with BACP guidance on confidentiality and data protection.
In addition, I offer Walk and Talk therapy in Worden Park, Leyland. This can suit clients who find it easier to talk while moving rather than sitting opposite someone. Sessions are structured to maintain appropriate boundaries and privacy within a public space.
Commonly Asked Questions
How long are sessions?
Sessions last 50 minutes.
How much do you charge?
My standard fee is £40 -£55 per session. I aim to keep counselling affordable while maintaining professional standards.
How soon can I start?
I aim to keep waiting times short and offer flexible appointments, including evenings where possible. Availability can be discussed when you make contact.
How often will we meet?
Most clients attend weekly, particularly at the beginning. This provides consistency and focus. We can review this together as therapy progresses.
Is everything confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is central to my work and is explained clearly in our first meeting. The only exceptions relate to legal or safeguarding responsibilities, which would always be discussed with you where possible. All work follows the BACP Ethical Framework.
What is a discovery call?
I offer a free initial discovery call. This is a brief, informal conversation to understand what you’re looking for, explain how I work, and answer any questions. It also gives you the opportunity to decide whether you feel comfortable working with me.
What will our first session look like?
The first session is more structured. We will explore further what has brought you to counselling, discuss any relevant background, agree practical arrangements, and begin to clarify what you would like to work towards. There is no pressure to share everything at once. We work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
What if I don’t know where to start?
That’s completely fine. Many people come to counselling unsure how to put their thoughts into words. You don’t need a clear script or perfect explanation. We can start wherever feels easiest, what’s been on your mind recently, what’s felt difficult, or even what made you decide to reach out. My role is to help guide the conversation so you don’t have to carry it alone.
What if I get emotional during a session?
That’s okay. Counselling is a space where emotions are welcome, not something to apologise for. If you become upset, we slow things down. There is no pressure to hold it together or to explain yourself perfectly. We work at a pace that feels manageable and safe for you.
