About me
Hello, I'm Paula, an integrative therapist. I'm passionate about helping people to process and heal from past experiences and build their resilience, so they can enjoy improved wellbeing and relationships, and move forward with their lives.
You might be feeling anxious, depressed or overwhelmed, or struggling with feeling stuck and not know how to move forward. Perhaps you're struggling with your confidence or self esteem. Or you might have experienced a major life event such as a bereavement, redundancy or separation and feeling unsure how to adjust to your new normal.
Whatever your situation, counselling gives you space to untangle all the complex thoughts and feelings you're experiencing. It can help you to process your feelings, understand and accept yourself, and improve your wellbeing.
In our sessions you will be able to talk openly and honestly about what's going on for you, without judgement. We might be exploring past situations or current stressors. We can look at coping strategies and self care, boundaries and communication, and use creative tools such as chair work to help with specific situations.
My approach is integrative which means I can draw upon different theories and techniques depending on what you need. But my main approach is person-centred and this means that I will be led by you as you know your life best, supporting and guiding you along our journey together. The relationship we build is crucial and through building a strong and trusting relationship, I will help you navigate your way through to where you want to be.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified integrative counsellor and Registered Member with the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy), abiding by their ethical framework.
I have experience working with people affected by depression, anxiety, stress, work issues, relationship problems, sexual abuse and past trauma, physical health issues, and with those caring for others. I also work with people with ADHD and autism, whether they have received a formal diagnosis or not.
I also have over 20 years’ experience working for various physical and mental health charities supporting people affected by conditions such as stroke, dementia and cancer, as well as depression, anxiety, OCD and eating disorders. These experiences have helped to inform me as a counsellor and deepen my understanding of the lived experience of others.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Guilt and shame, Inner child work
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Flexible arrangements such as fortnightly sessions offered as well as concessions.
Further information
This might be the first time you are exploring counselling, or you may have had some past experience. Either way, it’s not always easy to reach out for help but it is the first step in moving forward.
Finding the right therapist is important so if you are interested in working with me I can offer a free no obligation 20 minute phone or Zoom call to help you decide whether you would like us to work together.
Ongoing sessions last 50 minutes and take place weekly or fortnightly.
