Paula Coles

About me

Paula is a highly experienced BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor with over 26 years experience, working in independent practice. She has Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is a recognised Consultant provider of Clinical Psychotherapy for BUPA. She is fully trained in EMDR and working with trauma, anxiety and depression. She is also fully trained for Critical Incident Debriefing.

She is a fully accredited member of the B.A.C.P. (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), member of the E.M.D.R. Association and also C.O.S.R.T. (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists).

Paula always works to the highest standards, having an unusually high level of expertise, experience and qualifications. She offers a confidential service based on the importance of developing a secure and trusting therapeutic relationship.

Paula’s approach is one of warmth and support with the aim of helping clients achieve the change they desire to improve their life and wellbeing. She has tremendous faith in the therapeutic process from having helped so many people improve their lives.

Good therapy, with a skilled and experienced Psychotherapist, provides long-lasting benefits, giving people the tools to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome challenges. Paula has particular skill in creating a safe space for the client in the therapy room which will eventually make the world outside less overwhelming, scary or upsetting. The benefits obtained from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your relationships
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Paula has excellent experience of working with individuals and groups around presenting issues such as; anxiety, stress, abuse, sex and relationship problems, depression, eating disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, addiction and bereavement. She also has specific training and experience in working with clients taking or withdrawing fron psychiatric medication.

She has an outstanding history of working well with clients who have been previously frustrated in their search for change through therapy. Her research background involved the creation of innovative evidence based practice systems. She has developed excellent tools for clients to use in therapy which help ensure that they have a clear understanding of what their goals are and if they are being met by therapy, enabling them to feel positive and engaged in the process.

She is able to provide individual short and long term psychotherapy for adults and young people and Clinical Supervision for trainee and experienced Therapists.

As a fully BACP accredited Psychotherapist, Paula abides by the BACP Code of Ethics.

Paula is also a fully trained EMDR practitioner and member of the EMDR Association (the regulatory body for EMDR Therapists)

Paula has an up to date enhanced DBS check for both adults and children.

Training, qualifications & experience

Training & Experience

Paula has over 26 years of clinical experience. She spent ten years working as a Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor (managing the work of Counsellors) for the award winning Southampton Rape Crisis. She provided short and long term individual Psychotherapy and set up and ran therapeutic groups. In addition, she set up a groundbreaking Young People's Service, which provided a specialist place for young people to engage with creative therapy.

She has also worked for Hampshire County Council's Employee Support service providing short-term, solution-focused therapy and stress management, enabling clients to manage difficulties and return to work.

Her time with these services gave her a good working knowledge of referral to additional services and of NHS mental health services should they be required.

Paula is qualified to apply a range of psychological models including Humanistic, Integrative, Psychodynamic, EMDR, CBT, REBT and Solution-focused short term work. She is also able to offer creative and art based therapy, Mindfulness Meditation and Stress management.

Her specialist training in EMDR makes her a hugely skilled Therapist for PTSD and trauma. She is a registered member of the EMDR Association (The regulatory body for EMDR Therapists).

Paula always endeavours to enhance her qualifications and experience and is currently undertaking another level 7 (Masters level) qualification in Sex Therapy, Couples and Relationship Therapy to enhance her current skills and training and to provide the most clinically up to date expertise for her clients in these complex areas.

Paula is fully trained in Critical Incident Debriefing.

Paula also has a long professional history of working as a Teacher and Lecturer specialising in emotional and behavioural differences. She has also taught and trained Counsellors and other professionals such as Police officers and Social Workers and provides consultant groups for a large fostering agency.

She has always enjoyed staying up to date with training and research and has completed a huge amount of additional courses such as: Mindfulness, Sex therapy, Stress management, working with Self Harm, DBT and Family therapy. She has also attended many conferences with the National Rape Crisis Federation and Hampshire County Council. She was also part of working group looking at suicide reduction interventions in Southampton.

She has published articles and written as a specialist for the media, consulting on Psychological issues, with a particular interest in anxiety, stress, parenting and psychosexual problems.

Training & qualifications

Counselling Certificate, Sheffield Hallam University.
Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling Skills Theory and Practice, University of Southampton.
Post-graduate Certificate in Advanced Studies in CAS Counselling Supervision Theory and Practice (Distinction), University of Southampton.
BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist status since 2005.
M.Ed Psychology (Commendation), University of Bristol.
(Specialising in Psychotherapy, Trauma, Anxiety and Group therapeutic work for Mental Health. Achieved Graduate basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.)
CICS Cosrt accredited Diploma in Clinical Sexology (Sex Therapy and Couples and Relationship Therapy). In training.
EMDR Certificate. Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 (fully trained)
EMDR for Depression
Memory Reconsolidation, Flash Technique & EMDR (fully trained)
Working with sexual dysfunction
Mindfulness for Sexual Problems, Tavistock Relationships, London.
Foundation in Art Therapy , British Association of Art therapists , London.
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy , Albert Ellis institute, New York City.
PhD Research into Trauma, University of Roehampton.
Working with clients taking or withdrawing from Psychiatric drugs. British Psychological Society.
Primary Care Certificate in CBT (Cognitive behavioural Therapy) (BPS accredited), The Centre for Stress Management, London.
Primary Care Certificate in Stress Management [BPS accredited], The Centre for Stress Management, London.
Primary Care Certificate in Solution Focused Therapy [BPS accredited], The Centre for Stress Management, London.
Working with clients taking or withdrawing from psychiatric drugs. British Psychological Society.
Critical Incident Debriefing
B.A (Hons), University of Leeds.
P.G.C.E., University of Leicester.
Certificate of Education (Emotional and Behavioural Differences), University of Winchester.
In addition Paula has attended a large amount of short courses and workshops.

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Accredited register membership

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Paula has outstanding success rates working with relationships and with anxiety and stress. Paula has particular expertise in working with abuse and those who have experienced sexual violence.

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£85.00 per session

Health Insurance/EAP

BUPA

Additional information

BUPA recognised Consultant provider of Psychotherapy.

Please contact me for rates for Psychotherapy and Clinical Supervision.

EMDR prices on request.

Critical Incident Debriefing quotations on request.

If you are wondering if Psychotherapy may be able to help you or a loved one, please feel free to contact me.

pcolescouns@hotmail.com

When I work

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Further information

An initial consultation will allow us to discuss if Psychotherapy may be useful to you. If for whatever reason I feel another Practitioner or service may be more suitable for your needs I will be able to refer you to other individuals or agencies.

Easily accessible by public transport.

Off-road parking available.