Paula Barlow

• Stress and anxiety
• Addictions and recovery
• Relationship repair

About Paula

Paula Barlow helps people work through stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship difficulties, grief and trauma. She uses a mix of client-centred work, cognitive behavioural ideas, hypnotherapy, mindfulness and psychodynamic thinking to guide sessions. Paula is registered with NCPS and has nine years of professional experience in the United Kingdom.

Paula takes a practical, conversational approach in sessions. She listens to the person in front of her and uses their experience as the starting point. Conversations often focus on identifying patterns, testing small changes and building coping steps that fit everyday life.

Her background includes work with people facing bereavement, substance and alcohol problems, intimacy and sexual issues, eating and sleeping problems, parenting stresses and career-related strain. She also supports clients who want coaching around life changes and those wanting help with attention and executive function challenges such as ADHD.

Paula uses cognitive behavioural techniques to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different ways of responding. Client-Centred Therapy informs how she follows each person's priorities and pace. Psychodynamic ideas and hypnotherapy can be used where helpful to access deeper feelings or to build new ways of thinking.

Sessions are conversational and structured enough to set clear goals and measure small steps forward. Paula aims to make the work straightforward and practical so people can apply what they talk about between sessions. To begin, people are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and then arrange a first session.

How her approaches work in online counselling

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and following what matters to the person. The counsellor reflects concerns, clarifies priorities and helps the client set the pace for sessions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and uses practical exercises to try different ways of responding to problems. Hypnotherapy in this context is offered as a way to access focused attention and to support changes in habits and patterns when the client is agreeable.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work together. Paula will discuss the different methods and agree on an approach that fits the client's goals, preferences and everyday demands. This is a collaborative process and plans can be adjusted as progress is reviewed.

Confirm the session formats before booking as the biography does not specify them here. Online counselling can make it easier to fit appointments around work, childcare and travel, and can reduce time spent on commuting. It also allows for shorter check-ins when needed or sessions without video if that suits the person better. Registered or accredited professionals offer online options in many practices, and Paula will help decide what will work best for practical needs.

Topics Paula lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Addictions
• Relationship issues
• Trauma and abuse
• Depression
• Family conflicts
• Grief
• Intimacy-related issues
• Eating disorders
• Sleeping disorders
• Parenting issues
• Anger management
• Self-esteem
• Career difficulties
• Coping with life changes
• Coaching
• ADHD
• Abandonment
• Adoption and foster care
• Attachment issues
• Autism and Asperger Syndrome
• Communication problems
• Control issues
• Divorce and separation
• Domestic violence
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Eating and food-related issues
• Family problems
• Fertility issues
• Forgiveness
• Guilt and shame
• Hoarding
• Infidelity
• Isolation and loneliness
• Jealousy
• Life purpose
• Midlife crisis
• Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
• Panic disorder and panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Process addictions
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Self-harm
• Self-love
• Sex addiction
• Quitting smoking or vaping
• Social anxiety and phobia
• Women's issues
• Workplace issues
• Young adult issues

Ways of working

• Client-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Hypnotherapy
• Mindfulness Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy

Questions about Paula

Does she work with anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety and stress are named specialities and are part of her regular caseload.

What kind of counselling does she offer?

She combines Client-Centred Therapy with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, psychodynamic ideas, mindfulness and hypnotherapy depending on need.

How much experience does she have?

She has nine years of professional experience working with people in the United Kingdom.

Where is she based?

She practises in the United Kingdom and is registered with NCPS.

Can I have sessions in another language?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Does she accept international clients?

No. She does not accept international clients at this time.

How much do sessions cost?

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

How do I get started?

Click the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.