Paula North
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, I'm Paula, and firstly a warm welcome, it is important to find the right counsellor for you. So please take the time to read through my profile and be assured I will endeavour to work in the best way possible.
I am currently offering Face to Face and remote online counselling and this is conducted via telephone, video or text.
Why Have Counselling?
I believe that everyone is unique and as a result have different issues. Therefore different issues need different approaches. I use an integrative approach which uses the best bits from many different counselling modalities and is adaptable and flexible depending on your type of issue.
I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support and empower you on your journey.
Everyone at times can find life a struggle, whether it's events that we are finding difficulty with in the 'here and now' or past issues that are holding us back. Sometimes we can feel 'stuck' in life and can find it hard to decide which road to take.
Anxiety, depression, stress and fear my become overwhelming, or run too deeply for you to talk to family and friends, or you may worry about the impact of disclosure with loved ones. Or you may find that you and your partner cannot seem to resolve your relationship issues or difficulties on your own. If you want to talk about what is happening in your life, I can provide you with a safe space to be yourself, to speak out those unspoken thoughts and put words to feelings. Having the space to talk through your problems confidentially with an understanding, nonjudgmental and empathetic professional can make all the difference.
What I can Offer
I facilitate and enhance personal growth and insight with the ultimate goal of empowering you to change and move forward in life. I also aim to enable you to maintain what you have learnt in therapy. I will help you to develop new skills and strategies so you have the tools to cope when new problems arise, so you have more control of your life.
My ethos is all around personal empowerment and often this entails changing your thinking about yourself and the world around you. I believe that if you can change your thinking you can change your life.
The right help can bring your life back into balance and help you to be properly mindful of your well-being.
I can help with;
Addictions, Stress & Anxiety, Trauma, Family conflicts/divorce, Grief, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger Management, Career/workplace issues, ADHD/Autism, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Co-dependency, Commitment issues, Control/coercive control/narcissism, Dissociation, Guilt/shame, Hoarding/OCD/Phobias, Personality disorders, Self-harm, Sexual assault/abuse, Women's issues.
Training, qualifications & experience
Before becoming a counsellor I worked in the voluntary sector helping vulnerable people with a whole range of different and complex issues. I co-created and delivered an award winning Mental Health Program called 'Take the Weight of Your Mind' which aim was to build self-esteem, emotional resilience and empowerment.
I have over 1000hours (4years) of professional experience as a counsellor and have worked for various charities providing counselling and running Mental Well-being workshops. I worked for an organisation for several years helping clients overcome trauma and PTSD and I now specialise in helping clients who are struggling with anxiety.
Qualifications
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
- Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Certificate in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- Certificate in Applying Neuroscience in Counselling Practice
- Certificate in Autism Masking]
- Certificate in Counselling ADHD
- Certificate in Recognising & Working with Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Certificate in Working with Autism
- Certificate in Working with Hard to Reach Clients
- Certificate in Working with Personality Disorders
- Certificate in Working with Suicidal Clients
- GDPR Awareness
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
- Accredited Life Coach Course
- OCR Level 3 in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- NCFE Level 2 Award in Mentoring
- ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Diploma in Stress Management
- Diploma in Nutrition
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer concessions for people who are unemployed or retired, if you feel that you apply please contact me to find out more.
Further information
What to expect in your first session
In our first session I will be gathering information about your background and presenting issues, so that I can gain and idea about the best approach and tailor the therapy to your specific needs. We will discuss confidentiality and your expectations of counselling and talk about goals that you may like to focus on.
If you would like to find out more about me and what I can do for you then please get in touch. I offer a free 15 minute consultation via video call or telephone. During the consultation you will have the opportunity to hear more about the way I work, ask any questions and get a feel of what working together would look like.