Paul Tutton

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to read my profile.

If you have reached this point then you are likely to have some questions about therapy, which I'll do my best to answer.

Why work with a therapist like myself?

You may find yourself in many different challenging situations in life. These could be due to a significant life event (e.g. bereavement, divorce), on-going relationship difficulties (e.g. with a partner, other family members or work colleagues) or a pervasive sense of (e.g.) anxiety, depression or low self-esteem. Many people find having support at such a time helps them to process difficult emotions and feelings and find a way forwards.

What does therapy consist of?

As a therapist, I support adults by holding a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space so you can become more aware of the impact of past life experiences, how those events still influence how you are in the world today and explore your thoughts and feelings around options for making changes in the future. I will not be directive and neither am I an 'expert' who has some magic way to 'fix' you. Rather, my role is to listen, support, sometimes challenge, clarify and help raise awareness so you, the client, can come to your own informed view as to what way forward is best for you.

Who am I?

I am a qualified Gestalt psychotherapist. Gestalt is a type of therapy that is relational, rooted in the 'here and now' and which draws on both mind and body. I work in a way that helps raise your awareness of interruptions to the normal, healthy cycle of you making contact with others and the world around you. Gestalt also emphasises curiosity, creativity and an experimental approach to trying out new ways of be-ing and do-ing. I am registered with a professional body called UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and abide by their code of ethics.

I am also a qualified coach and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) practitioner. Hence I can draw on a variety of models and approaches to best support you as the client.

Prior to becoming a therapist, in my working life I was a business analyst and project manager in IT and business change for a variety of organisations in financial services and central government.

How does starting therapy work?

I recognise that deciding to work with a therapist (and then deciding which therapist that will be) is a major decision for you, as the client

To help with this, I offer a three step process:

1. A free initial 15-30 minute on-line session. This is not a normal session, rather an opportunity for us to meet, find out a little more about each other and for you to ask any questions you might have about the therapy process. After this we can both decide if we are interested in progressing to the next step.

2. A paid 50 minute assessment session. The purpose of this is for me to gather more information about the issue(s) that are bringing you to therapy at this time, other background information about you and what a good outcome from therapy might look like for you. I use a standard form to record the information from this sessions. Again, after this we can both decide if we are interested in progressing to the next step. If so, I will then send you a contract and GDPR form to complete.

3. You and I would then start normal on-going sessions. These can be short-term or long-term (with regular reviews).

When would I have therapy?

Normally, therapy works best if client and therapist meet at the same time each week. This can be varied if necessary (e.g. some clients move to fortnightly as they approach an ending). I offer both day-time and early evening sessions.

Where would I have therapy?

Sessions can be either in-person or on-line.

If meeting in-person I use one of two comfortable, confidential rooms in the gardens of my home in Malvern, Worcestershire. There is free parking on-site and a train station 1.2 miles away. Meeting outside in nature is also possible.

If meeting on-line I use either Zoom or MS-Teams.  

I hope that has answered your questions. Please visit my website for further details and do get in touch by email or phone if you feel I might be the person best placed to help you.

I am also qualified as a life & business coach and a NLP practitioner.

If sessions are paid for privately, payment is due by bank transfer in the week of each session. If sessions are paid for by an organisation (e.g. employer, church) I can provide a monthly invoice.