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Paula Otley, BACP, NCPS

Based in the UK Online sessions

Gentle, practical counselling for life challenges

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About

About Paula

Paula Otley is a counsellor with 16 years of experience who offers calm, steady support for people facing loss, stress and relationship strain. She is MBACP accredited and welcomes conversations about emotional pain, anxiety, depression and issues linked to identity, including LGBT concerns. Paula meets people where they are and focuses on building a trusting working relationship first.

Her interest in this work began through many years as a bereavement support volunteer where she sat with people during difficult times.

Background and approach

That experience shaped her decision to train as an integrative counsellor, combining person-centred and psychodynamic ideas from a relational perspective. In 2020 she added cognitive behavioural therapy to her approach to give more practical tools alongside reflective work. Paula has worked in several settings including GP practice, the NHS, charities, community counselling services, independent practice and employee assistance programmes.

This variety means she is used to different ways people seek help and the small practical problems that can make therapy hard to access. Sessions aim to be collaborative and straightforward. Paula listens for what matters to each person and helps them try different ways of thinking and coping.

She pairs reflective conversation with practical steps when that suits the client. People often come for help with grief, anxiety, addiction, low self-esteem, trauma, relationship or intimacy issues, sleep and eating concerns, or major life changes. Paula supports clients who also bring complex background issues such as attachment, adoption, caregiving stress, chronic health challenges and neurodiversity.

Focus areas and approaches

What Paula works with

Everything Paula lists, in their own terms. LGBT is the reason Paula is listed here; the rest shows what else Paula works with.

Approaches Paula lists

Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.

Online support

How Paula uses therapy approaches online

Paula blends a few complementary approaches so clients can use both reflection and practical change. Attachment-based work focuses on relationships and how early bonds affect current feelings and patterns; it helps when trust, closeness or repeated relationship problems are central. Client-centred therapy means sessions are led by the client’s pace and priorities; the counsellor listens without judgement and follows the client’s concerns. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) adds straightforward strategies to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and can help with anxiety, low mood, sleep and coping skills. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Paula will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and then agree a plan together. That shared decision-making means the focus can shift as needs change during counselling. Practical benefits of online therapy are often about fitting sessions into everyday life. It can make it easier to attend from different locations, reduce travel time and allow quicker check-ins when schedules are tight. Because the biography does not list specific session formats, confirm the available options before booking to know what will work best for you. Registered or accredited professionals and counsellors commonly use online sessions to balance accessibility with therapeutic continuity.
Questions

Questions people ask about Paula

What kinds of problems does Paula help with?

She works with people facing grief, stress, anxiety, depression and relationship or intimacy issues, among other concerns such as addictions, sleep or eating difficulties and identity matters including LGBT related topics.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

The style is relational and collaborative, combining person-centred listening with psychodynamic reflection and practical cognitive behavioural techniques where useful.

How much experience does she have?

Paula has been helping people for 16 years and began her role as a bereavement support volunteer before training as an integrative counsellor.

What credentials and region are listed for this counsellor?

She is MBACP accredited and holds BACP and NCPS credentials, and practises in the United Kingdom.

Can sessions be held in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

The original biography does not specify session formats, so please confirm current session options before booking.

How are fees and payment handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin working with Paula?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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