Paula Appleton, BACP, NCPS

Paula Appleton is a counsellor with 14 years of experience working in the United Kingdom. She holds BACP and NCPS credentials and uses an integrative approach to shape sessions around each person's needs. Paula is able to work with Deaf and hard of hearing clients and has qualifications in British Sign Language and supportive signing methods.

Paula helps people who are feeling anxious, stressed or depressed. She also supports those coping with trauma and abuse, addictions, grief and intense life changes. Other areas she works with include sleep and eating concerns, parenting strain, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, anger and career worries.

Her practice draws on a mix of therapies so sessions vary depending on the person. Techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy may be used to help manage thoughts and behaviours. Attachment-based ideas and client-centred listening shape longer-term issues about connection and identity.

Sessions are practical and straightforward. Paula aims to create space to talk, to identify small changes that help, and to build coping plans that fit everyday life. She also brings experience supporting people with neurodiversity, chronic health issues and bereavement.

Conversations can be conducted in English and American Sign Language where appropriate. International clients can be considered, and practical details about sessions are provided when arranging to start therapy.

To begin, a short matching questionnaire is completed and scheduling follows. Paula uses a subscription model for sessions that can be cancelled at any time, and fees vary by location and therapist availability.

How Paula’s approaches translate to online therapy

Paula commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy alongside attachment-based ideas. ACT focuses on helping people notice thoughts without getting stuck and connecting actions to personal values, which can help with anxiety, low mood and life changes. CBT targets unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns with practical exercises and homework to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. Attachment-based work looks at patterns in relationships and how early connections shape current feelings and reactions, useful for intimacy and trust issues.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Paula will work collaboratively to decide what fits your goals and preferences, trying different techniques and adjusting as you go. She aims to make therapy responsive to what actually helps you in day-to-day life.

The exact session arrangements are confirmed when you start, so please check the current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around daily life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. If you use British Sign Language or American Sign Language, mention this when enquiring so communication needs can be discussed and planned.