Paula Appleton , BACP, NCPS

Paula Appleton is a counsellor with 14 years of experience supporting people through hard life moments. She holds BACP and NCPS credentials and offers direct, practical help for common problems. Paula communicates in English and American Sign Language and works with people across the United Kingdom and internationally.

Paula uses an integrative approach that draws on different counselling methods. She adapts her way of working to each person's needs, explaining options and trying what fits best. Sessions focus on clear goals and manageable steps rather than jargon or long lectures.

Her day-to-day work includes supporting people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief and intimacy-related issues. She also helps with sleeping and eating concerns, parenting strain, compassion fatigue, ADHD and career-related worries. Other areas she sees include body image, attachment issues and coping with life changes.

Paula is experienced in working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people and can communicate using Signed Supported English or British Sign Language at level BSL NVQ Level 6. She describes counselling as a chance to pause and talk through what feels overwhelming, and to find practical ways to feel steadier.

Her sessions aim to be straightforward and collaborative. Paula offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging so people can pick a format that fits their day. To begin, people use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to availability.

Therapeutic approaches and online access

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being driven by them. It focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small actions that align with what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings and actions and uses practical exercises to change patterns that cause distress. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and helps people build safer ways of relating and coping.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Paula will talk through options and make decisions together based on the person's goals, needs and preferences. She combines approaches when that suits a person better, and checks in regularly to see what is helping.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. Video calls suit longer conversations where visual cues matter, while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging are useful for brief updates, written reflection or when someone prefers typing. These options give flexibility to fit therapy around work, care duties or travel and make it simpler to keep regular appointments with registered or accredited professionals.