Paula Dickinson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
You may feel like you or your relationship has just lost your sparkle and are struggling to know where or how to get that back. You may be struggling with your emotions and feelings and how to process your thoughts around this. I get it, life is challenging in today's world and relationships also have lots of demands upon them
I'm a qualified therapist offering counselling and psychotherapy to help couples get their relationship back on track and I work with adults 16+, with neurodiverse conditions including ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, and Dyslexia, in particular those who suspect they are or those who choose to self-identify. (I also work with a wide range of other difficulties not exclusive to those above, please see below )
I have a special interest in working with those in the military and uniformed services; understanding the lifestyle underpins the work that I do. I recognise those who are experiencing symptoms of trauma, including PTSD; anxiety stress; and low mood I also have a special interest in suspected and undiagnosed neurodivergence and the impact this can have on those I work with. I have also worked with many couples who have been impacted by neurodivergence and I work to support and navigate relationships under this lens.
People tell me that I am really easy to talk to and I have prided myself on working in a relational way which is based upon being down-to-earth, approachable and welcoming so that you feel comfortable enough to share with me what has brought you to therapy and what is troubling you.
I leave the counselling terminology jargon at the door and ask questions that are geared towards my understanding of you. Getting to know you and building a therapeutic relationship built upon trust. Wouldn’t it feel lovely to be understood? Wouldn’t it be great to experience acceptance and trust? You may wonder why the relationship is so important so I will tell you. Emotional safety and connection allow you to be candid which is a key factor.
How can I help you?
I help you come to grips with your feelings so that over time you feel more yourself again whether that's less anxious, sad, despondent or depressed. Together we can understand any feelings of anger you may have and we can work on understanding feelings such as anxiety, sadness, guilt, shame and anger, and start to communicate better with those around you.
Letting go of things that you can control can feel hard however together I will equip you with coping strategies that will help you feel more resilient in life. The end goal is for you to feel confident and to engage with your value and worth.
I know that the hardest part is picking up that phone. I understand the courage that it takes to do it. I also see how that one call can lead to taking control of your life again.
If you have any questions or would like to book a session, then I would like to welcome you to get in touch with me today. You can call or text me on 07561 442 551 or click here to send me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Paula
Working with me as your counsellor
I can empathise with the lifestyle which I find underpins the work that I do, I understand that this life is built upon dedication, service, family and trust.
I also recognise that this life can also expose us to significant traumas that we need to work together to help you alleviate the impact of those traumas.
I can help you as an individual or as a couple to understand what brought you to this day. We are all part of a wider family and the impact of family dynamics can be hard. It can influence self-worth, decision making and difficult historic relationships can impact our relationships in the here and now.
I can help you gain understanding and create a future aligned with creating happy relationships and not repeating past relational patterns built upon trauma. Healing from the past starts by understanding it and creating a future starts by understanding what is and isn’t conducive to your well-being and happiness.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BA Top-up Degree in Integrative Psychotherapies (First Class Hons)
Doncaster College and University
October 2020 to May 2021 - Certificate in Transactional Analysis 101 - Drighlington Hub - Drighlington - September 2020 to September 2020
- Diploma of Higher Education in Therapeutic Counselling
Leeds City College
October 2018 to May 2020 - Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling Skills - Leeds City College - September 2017 to July 2018
- Certificate in Counselling Concepts - Leeds City College - October 2016 to February 2017
- SEG Awards ABC Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Leeds City College
Awarded: 27th May 2021 - ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills - Wakefield Adult Education Service - Awarded: 9th August 2018
- ABC Level 2 Award in Counselling Concepts - Wakefield Adult Education Service - Awarded: 16th June 2017
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Our pain and suffering are compounded when we shame ourselves with harsh critical statements and judgements. I understand, I have been there and that’s what supports a lot of my work. I don’t come at this for a position of having a perfect life. I come at this from a human position or knowing and experiencing struggles which I had, to be honest about and deal with and I use that each day to underpin my work.
Chronic Pain, Disability/Health, Neurodiversity and our relationships
Maybe you struggle with chronic pain and illness, which can be both physically and emotionally painful to live with. Maybe there is anxiety around feeling judged by others, maybe there is anxiety around finances or perhaps anxiety around being on social occasions. Perhaps it makes you anxious to go places as maybe self-care can be challenging.
Neurodiversity
Perhaps you fall on the neurodiverse spectrum or suspect you may be neurodiverse and perhaps there is anxiety around feeling understood by people and worries about what they think. Perhaps you find certain situations difficult and maybe you feel trapped and unable to share your need. I understand just how confusing situations can be.
Trauma and life-changing events
Maybe you’ve had a life-changing event and feel anxious about what the future holds and how that could look. I get that this can be challenging, who wouldn’t be anxious when things change on a grand scale and we suddenly feel like our lives will not be the same again? Trauma is a vast field and we can be traumatised in many different ways. No one trauma is the same and all trauma is valid!
Family and Relationships
Maybe you have family that is difficult to deal with and perhaps this feeds into your anxiety. It’s really painful when we have difficult family dynamics which we have to juggle. Maybe you no longer wish to juggle them or maybe you want to learn to cope better with limited interactions
Social Anxiety
Whereby you experience overwhelming fear of social situations like meeting or speaking to people.
General Anxiety
Whereby you experience anxiety and worries around some different areas of your life. Maybe that is relationships, finances or work. Perhaps this anxiety sets off a chain of anxieties where one worry leads to another
Helping you to understand your process for you to feel lighter is my focus, we can at times be our worst critics and judging ourselves is just not helpful. Learning to understand ourselves and be kind is a large part of how I will work with you. After all, I get it, how can we be kind if we don’t fully understand our process? The weight that we carry in emotions is often unbearable, and I want to help you lighten your load.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 - £75.00
Free initial telephone session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
My fees are as follows
Free 15 - Introduction Video/Telephone call
Individual sessions are 50 min at a rate of £60.00 per 50-minute session.
Couples' therapy sessions are £75.00 per 50-minute session.
When I work
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My main hours of work are 10 am until 7 pm
Saturday and Sunday appointments are available online
Further information
My way of working has developed over the years into a way of being that is professional, informal and relational. I keep therapy 'Human' and for me being human means being caring, empathic, and willing to place myself in your shoes so that I can understand your struggles as you experience them.
Please call or text me today on 07561 442 551 or send me an email to get started.
