- Calm practical support
- Relational approach
- Mindful and CBT tools
About Paula
Paula Otley works with people who are facing hard moments and life changes. She meets clients where they are and aims to build a trusting working relationship. Paula has a calm, down-to-earth manner that suits people looking for steady support through stress, loss or changing circumstances.
Paula has been supporting others for over 16 years, starting as a bereavement support volunteer. That early work involved sitting with people in some of their darkest days and shaped her decision to train as an integrative counsellor. She qualified using person-centred and psychodynamic approaches from a relational perspective.
In 2020 she added cognitive behavioural therapy, bringing more practical strategies into the work. Paula combines talking and reflective listening with tools to manage thoughts and behaviour. This mix helps when the immediate feeling needs holding and when problem-solving is wanted.
Her experience spans GP practice, NHS settings, charities, community counselling services, private practice and employee assistance programmes. Paula holds BACP and NCPS credentials and is MBACP accredited as of May 2024. She offers her practice from the United Kingdom and conducts sessions in English.
Paula describes therapy as a joint process. Together with each person she explores what matters most, tries out ways to cope, and adapts the approach to fit individual needs. People looking for a steady, relational counsellor often find this collaborative style straightforward and practical.
How her approaches shape online counselling
Paula draws on attachment-based work and cognitive behavioural therapy to guide sessions. Attachment-based work focuses on patterns in relationships and how early connections affect current feelings; it can help people understand why they react strongly in close relationships. Cognitive behavioural therapy looks at thoughts and behaviours and offers practical steps to change unhelpful patterns, which is useful for anxiety, low mood and coping strategies.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Paula aims to agree with each person which mix of listening, reflection and practical technique fits their goals. She will review progress and adapt methods as needs and preferences become clearer in ongoing sessions.
Online therapy can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy life by reducing travel and allowing appointments around work or caregiving. It can also allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, or sessions without video when bandwidth or comfort makes that preferable. The profile does not list specific session formats, so please confirm the options available before booking to ensure they fit with your routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Credentials
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Paula help people with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression and a wide range of life challenges listed in her profile, including relationship and intimacy issues, addictions and ADHD.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style blends person-centred, psychodynamic listening with practical CBT techniques and mindfulness. Sessions combine reflective conversation with concrete strategies when needed.
How much experience does she have?
Paula has 16 years of experience, beginning with bereavement support volunteering and extending into work across NHS, GP practice, charities and private practice.
Which credentials and location are listed?
She holds BACP and NCPS credentials and is MBACP accredited as of May 2024. Her practice is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are offered and can international clients connect?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions charged?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with Paula?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.