Counsellor Profile: Paula Paynter

Personal Introduction

Hello, I am Paula and I have been a qualified counsellor since 2008. I have always been passionate about supporting and caring for people, seeing them as the individual they are.

My first line of work was nursing and whilst doing this role I moved onto training and becoming a counsellor.

Through my faith as a Christian, I believe every person is of value. I feel privileged to work alongside my clients supporting them when life becomes challenging, either because of past experiences or because of what is happening in the present.

About Me

As a counsellor my core training is Person Centred Therapy. From this, through ongoing training, I have developed an integrative approach to my practice.

Working with an integrative approach means I can draw on different theoretical approaches and knowledge to work with clients in a way which fits their needs.

This also ensures that clients are acknowledged as individuals having their own concerns, emotions, experiences, and spirituality.

During my work as a counsellor, I have been privileged to sit alongside clients experiencing different challenges and emotions in their lives – bereavement, pregnancy related concerns, trauma, health related issues, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, abuse, and frontline workers.

Working with these individuals my desire has been to bring hope into their situation and to explore ways in understanding the emotions they are experiencing.

Outside of the counselling room I am involved in my local church and enjoy baking, creative activities and being outdoors. These ensure I have time to reflect on myself so I can be fully present for my clients in the therapy room.

Qualifications, Training and Experience

Qualifications

• Diploma in Person Centred counselling
• BSC in therapeutic counselling
• Certificate in supervision
• Online and Telephone Counselling
• Pregnancy loss counselling
• Pre and post Termination counselling
• Mindfulness
• Motivational Interviewing

Experience

• Pregnancy counselling service
• Domestic abuse service
• Sexual abuse service
• Private Practice work
• Counselling and supervision of Frontline workers

Areas of counselling I work with

• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Pregnancy related concerns
• Infertility
• Menopause
• Bereavement
• Spirituality
• Low self esteem
• Chronic illness
• Health related anxiety
• Burnout
• Stress
• PTSD
• CPTSD
• Trauma
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders

Types of therapy I am trained to offer

• Pregnancy Loss
• Pre and Post Termination of Pregnancy
• Attachment training
• Complex trauma
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders
• Sexuality
• Sexual health
• Domestic abuse
• Sexual abuse