Paula Hegarty

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Waiting list for new clients
Waiting list for new clients

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

location_on Darlington DL3
Waiting list for new clients
Waiting list for new clients

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

About me

I am an experienced therapist who provides evidence based therapy to individuals who have mental health and life adjustment difficulties

The key to my service is to offer the individual a space to talk to someone outside their difficulties and to help to develop a different perspective. I aim to help individuals become more self aware and develop healthier coping skills which are directed towards growth and better mental health. Sometimes we become entrenched in thoughts and behaviours which keep us stuck in negative patterns which are difficult to break on our own.  Therapy can start a change process which allows us to break out of these patterns and start living in a more positive manner.

I work holistically so I look beyond the problem presented to the 'whole' person as the symptom can indicate deeper issues which need healing.

I am down to earth and grounded in approach so I do not 'baffle' with science.  Rather, I develop a strong therapeutic relationship as an important part of the change process and integrate whatever therapies are most appropriate for the individual and their issues.

Training, qualifications & experience

I have 18 years experience in a primary care setting working with adults with mental health difficulties.  I  have worked with young people aged 12 and above in a young people's centre and college setting and have also offered community counselling.  I also supervise counsellors and CBT therapists and have offered this service for the last 14 years. 

My qualifications include a BA degree (hons), an MSc in counselling, a PG diploma in CBT, a certificate in CBT supervision and EMDR qualified.  I am accredited with  BACP,  BABCP and EMDR UK.  I have attended courses in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and use this approach in my work.

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

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.

BABCP
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

The BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or development of CBT. BABCP also provides accreditation for CBT therapists. BABCP accredited members adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics in the Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and are willing to be scrutinised in this adherence as required.

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.

EMDR UK
EMDR Association UK (EMDR UK)

EMDR UK

Accredited register membership

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
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 Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

Areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

£40.00 - £75.00

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed

Health Insurance/EAP

  • check_circle BUPA
  • check_circle Cigna
  • check_circle Health Assured
  • check_circle WPA

Additional information

Sessions last approximately 50 minutes which is the time for the therapeutic hour.  I can extend sessions for trauma focused work which will be agreed with the client prior to sessions.  I offer short term and long term therapy depending on the client need.

My fees are £55 per session (from 1 April 2025) and I offer a lower rate for students and unemployed to be decided on an individual basis.  My rate for trauma work with EMDR will be discussed and agreed following the initial session.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I offer some evening appointments but these are popular and therefore are not often available.  I like to offer appointments within a reasonable time frame. 

Further information

I work in primary care as a high intensity CBT and EMDR therapist.  I am also an experienced supervisor, both groups and individuals. 
I understand the importance of life/work balance which has made me aware of the necessity for self care.   This has directed me towards practising meditation and reiki self healing which I have found helpful.  I am also interested in mindfulness and use this with clients when appropriate.

Darlington, County Durham, DL3

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 info

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

Premises are not suitable for wheelchair users. My clinic is up one flight of stairs. There is possibility of a downstairs room but this is not regularly available so appointment times would be to suit the room availability if this was needed.

Online platforms

FaceTime
Microsoft Teams
Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

I have been supervising counsellors since 2008 and high intensity CBT therapists since 2009.

View supervision profile

Paula Hegarty
Paula Hegarty