Shirley Paul

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MBACP, SEP

About me

A Safe Space to Let Go

Trauma | Anxiety | Depression | Somatic & Neuro-Affective Touch Therapy.

You’ve tried to talk your way through it, but something still feels stuck.

That’s because trauma isn’t just a story in the mind, it’s something your whole body remembers. I’m here to help you feel safe, seen, and supported as you begin to gently shift patterns that may have felt impossible to change.

I’m a BACP-registered counsellor with years of experience helping children, teenagers, and adults navigate the challenges of trauma, anxiety, and depression. I offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can feel safe to explore what’s going on for you, at your pace, in your way.

Specialist Trauma Support

I’ve supported survivors of sexual abuse through my work with a well-known charity, and I bring that depth of experience to my private practice. Whether you’re dealing with developmental trauma, medical trauma, complex PTSD, or dissociation, my focus is on helping you reconnect with your resilience and find a way forward that feels right for you.

How I Work

My approach to counselling is creative, supportive, and body-aware. I integrate talking therapy with somatic techniques, such as Somatic Experiencing, Neuro-Affective Touch, Eden Energy Medicine, and Internal Family Systems, because trauma doesn’t just live in the mind; it lives in the body too.

Together, we’ll work to help you:

Feel safe and grounded
Build confidence and emotional strength
Develop practical tools you can use in daily life
Reconnect with parts of yourself that feel lost, numb, or overwhelmed
Establish healthy boundaries and meaningful connections.

I’m here to support you in a way that honours your unique story and empowers your healing journey.

Get in TouchI offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re the right fit. Sessions are available in person (Berkshire & Oxfordshire) and online.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
  • Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner
  • Neuroaffective Touch level 1
  • IFS in Action with Complex Trauma and PTSD
  • Foundations of the IFS Model
  • BACP Certificate of Proficiency
  • Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling CPCAB
  • Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies CPCAB
  • Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills CPCAB
  • BEng (Hons)

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.

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.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
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 Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£50.00 - £70.00

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed

Health Insurance/EAP

  • check_circle Vitality
  • check_circle Axa Health

Additional information

Individual therapy £60 per 50 minute session. Counsellor trainees/unemployed £50   If outside Monday - Friday, 9.30am-3.30pm, then £70.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Streatley, Reading, Berkshire, RG8

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
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

Online platforms

FaceTime
Skype
Whatsapp
Zoom
Microsoft Teams