Paula Peden
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
Are you feeling overwhelmed by stress or stuck in unhelpful patterns? Life can feel exhausting and lonely, even when you’re surrounded by friends or family. It’s not always easy to know where to turn. Therapy can help you find clarity and focus, giving you the tools to move forward.
My approach is integrative and tailored to your needs. Together we might explore how your past experiences influence today, identify and address challenges in communication, or work through thought patterns that feel limiting. Together, we’ll focus on what truly matters to you, helping you feel more in control of your life.
I support people facing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or low self-esteem, providing a fresh perspective and a space where you feel genuinely heard. I also provide a neuro-affirming approach to working with young people, adults, and parents of individuals who are diagnosed or self-identify as ADHD/Autism. My aim is to help you make confident, empowered choices that bring positive change to your daily life.
I know starting therapy can feel intimidating—you might wonder what it will be like or if it’s the right step for you. My goal is to create a space where you can share what’s on your mind, in your own time and at your own pace. If you’re ready to take the first step, let’s chat about how I can support you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Navigating a demanding career, challenging route to parenthood and neurodiversity I understand how anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and a sense of losing control can feel. Building on my skills and life experience, working as a senior executive, business coach and training as a counsellor I can help you work through what's getting in the way of leading the life you really want.
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and work within their Code of Ethics. I also hold an Enhanced DBS check.
I have trained with a leading provider of therapeutic training and have also undertaken specialist training in working with trauma, including historic abuse and birth trauma. I am also trained in a strengths-based, neuro-affirming approach to working with ADHD/ADD/Autism.
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (In progress)
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Therapeutic Counselling
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
I continue to volunteer for a trauma-based charity Living Your Life, have worked with Minds and a local upper school. I am also a Trustee for Mind BLMK.
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.
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.
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.
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
£50.00 - £60.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free 20-minute introductory call prior to arranging our initial counselling session where we can discuss what you are hoping for from counselling and how we might work together.
Counselling sessions for individuals last 50 minutes, usually taking place on a weekly basis, and cost £50 per session. I also provide a limited number of spaces for those on low-income or for students; contact me to enquire about availability.
When I work
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Further information
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to forget to make time for yourself. When you come to Wrest Park or the Happy Body Project, you’ll instantly feel the calm of nature around you. My counselling room offers a peaceful space where you can leave the pressures of everyday life behind and just focus on you. Together, we’ll work through whatever you’re facing, with understanding and empathy.
I offer walk-and-talk therapy at Wrest Park. Walking in nature can be incredibly soothing, helping to lower stress and anxiety. Plus, walking side by side can feel less intense than sitting face-to-face, often making it easier to open up and share what’s really on your mind.
I also offer online or telephone counselling for anyone who prefers to have sessions remotely or finds it hard to attend in person. Whether you choose to do all sessions this way or just need the flexibility sometimes, I’m here to make it work for you.
