Paul Skelton

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he/him
MBACP | MNCPS (Acc.) Dip.Couns

About me

Taking first steps can feel hard — but you don’t have to do it alone.

I'm an integrative psychotherapist and counsellor, dual member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and I work as a male psychotherapist and male counsellor with adults across Widnes, Runcorn, Speke, Liverpool (South), Halewood, Warrington, Frodsham and Helsby— as well as online, providing further accessibility to clients across the UK.

At Oakwood Counselling & Wellbeing, I don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, I draw from a range of evidence-based therapies to tailor each session to your unique needs, challenges, and goals. Therapy should feel personal, supportive, and effective—helping you not just to cope, but to heal, grow, and thrive.

I offer a warm, compassionate space where you can express yourself freely, without fear of judgment. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling lost, stuck, or unsure of what’s wrong—they just know that something doesn’t feel right. Whether you need clarity, emotional support, or practical tools to manage daily struggles, we will work together at a pace that feels right for you.

Whatever has brought you here, you don't need to arrive with it figured out.

Issues I Work With

  • Shame and guilt — including the deep, chronic shame that quietly shapes identity and self-worth without ever quite having a name
  • Men's psychological health — emotional suppression, masculine identity, the invisible weight men are expected to carry
  • Grief, loss, and bereavement — including grief that is not publicly recognised or validated (disenfranchised grief), traumatic loss, ambiguous loss, and grief in men who have been taught not to show it
  • Self-Esteem, Identity & Personal Development — questions of who you are, who you were told to be, and the gap between the two, low self-esteem, issues of low self-confidence and self-worth concerns, perfectionism, anger management, emotional regulation
  • Loneliness and disconnection — the experience of being surrounded by people and yet feeling profoundly alone and unseen
  • Burnout and exhaustion — particularly in working-class, blue-collar, trade, and professional environments where stopping is sometimes not considered an option
  • Anxiety and chronic stress — including the kind that has become so habitual it no longer feels like anxiety, just 'how things are'
  • Relationship dynamics, rejection and abandonment — patterns of fear around being left, let down, or found wanting in relationships, repeating patterns, communication breakdown, intimacy difficulties, affairs and betrayals, and the dynamics of push and pull
  • Adult ADHD — supporting adults who have received a late diagnosis, are awaiting assessment, or who recognise the patterns of ADHD in themselves without a formal label
  • Existential concerns — questions of meaning, purpose, mortality, and what it means to live a life that is actually yours
    Working-class identity and structural stress — the psychological impact of class transition, systemic pressure, financial precarity, and the shame that is so frequently built into working-class experience in Britain
  • Difficult Past Experiences & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — Attachment difficulties, emotional abuse, relational trauma
  • Depression & Low Mood — Depression, feeling sad, persistent low mood, emotional overwhelm, suicidal thoughts and ideation

My integrative approach means that you and I will work together to tailor your therapy to your unique situation: sometimes this can be a structured, skills-based method, sometimes a deeper emotional exploration or inner-work, or sometimes a gentle, supportive pathway to build self-esteem, resilience and emotional wellbeing.

What You Can Expect

My approach is genuinely integrative — meaning it's led by what you need, not by a fixed model. I draw on Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural, Transactional Analysis (TA)-informed, Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed, and trauma-informed frameworks, alongside Jungian and existential perspectives. I work both short and long term, depending on what you're bringing.

The first session is always an opportunity for you to ask me anything, to get a sense of how I work, and to decide whether I feel like the right fit for you. There is no obligation beyond that conversation.

If you’re unsure whether therapy is right for you — I offer a free, no-obligation, 20-minute initial consultation so you can ask questions, and we can explore whether my way of working feels like a good fit for you.

Whatever is bringing you to therapy, you're welcome here.

Your Therapy, Your Journey

Therapy is not about “fixing” you—you aren't broken! It’s about giving you the space, tools, and self-awareness to understand yourself more deeply, develop emotional resilience, and create positive changes in your life.

Each of our sessions is collaborative and tailored to your needs. Some people come to therapy looking for structured strategies, while others need a space to explore their emotions freely. Whether you’re seeking short-term support for a specific challenge or longer-term therapy for deeper self-exploration, I'll work alongside you in a way that feels comfortable, respectful, and empowering.

Professional Standards
My commitment to ongoing professional development ensures that I provide the highest standard of care in a compassionate and ethical manner. I place a strong emphasis on confidentiality and client safety, respecting the boundaries and personal experiences of everyone I work with.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
  • BACP Register of counsellors- certificate of proficiency
  • Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills
  • Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Additional information

Face to Face Sessions £50.00

Trainee Counsellors £40.00

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

I understand that seeking counselling can be a significant step, and I am committed to walking alongside you on this journey with compassion, respect and empathy. Whether you're dealing with a specific issue or looking for support in navigating life's challenges, my goal is to help you find clarity, resilience, autonomy, and a greater sense of wellbeing.

Counselling can be a personal and unique experience, and you need to be comfortable with your counsellor in order for the core conditions to exist and the therapeutic journey to take place.

I offer a free 20-minute consultation via telephone to answer any questions you may have and for you to decide if you're happy for us to work together.

What to Expect
During our sessions, you can expect a collaborative and empowering approach to therapy. Each 50-minute session is an opportunity for you to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment, with a focus on helping you move toward your goals. I offer both in-person and online sessions, providing flexibility to suit your needs.

Get in Touch
If you're ready to take the first step towards a more balanced and fulfilling life, please don't hesitate to reach out. I offer a 20-minute free initial consultation where we can discuss your needs and how I may be able to support you on your journey. 

I look forward to the possibility of supporting you on your path to personal growth. Feel free to contact me to schedule an initial consultation or to ask any questions you may have using the contact details.

Oakwood Counselling and Wellbeing, 2 Kingsway House, Oaks Place, Caldwell Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 7EA

Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp
Zoom
Google Meet

Social