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Paula Otley, BACP, NCPS

Integrative counsellor supporting grief and life transitions
  • 16 years bereavement experience
  • Person-centered and psychodynamic
  • Video phone chat messaging

About Paula Otley

Paula Otley brings more than sixteen years of direct experience supporting people through profound loss and life change. Her work began as a bereavement support volunteer, where prolonged engagement with clients during some of the darkest days of their lives shaped her professional direction and commitment to relational practice. She trained as an integrative counsellor, specialising in person-centred and psychodynamic approaches that emphasise the therapeutic relationship and the lived experience of each individual.

In 2020 she added training in cognitive behavioural therapy to broaden the range of tools available to clients, combining insight-oriented work with practical techniques for managing thoughts and behaviours. Paula has worked across diverse settings including GP practices, the NHS, charities, community counselling services, private practice, and employee assistance programmes, meeting people from all walks of life and adapting her approach to their unique needs.

She prioritises building a sound therapeutic alliance and approaches each person with respect and acceptance, working collaboratively to explore feelings, patterns, and goals. Paula achieved MBACP accreditation in May 2024 (Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and holds additional credentials including NCPS.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Also Specializes In

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional Focus Areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic Approach

Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Paula Otley have?

Paula Otley has 16 years of experience.

Is Paula Otley a registered therapist?

Yes. She holds these credentials: BACP, NCPS.

In which languages does Paula Otley provide therapy?

Paula Otley provides therapy in English.

Where is Paula Otley located?

Paula Otley is located in the United Kingdom.

How can I work with Paula Otley as my therapist?

You can work with Paula Otley through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Paula Otley work with international clients?

Yes, Paula Otley works with international clients.

How much does therapy with Paula Otley cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Approaches that inform online therapeutic support

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early and current relationships shape patterns of connection and distress. It helps people understand recurring relationship dynamics, work through issues such as abandonment or attachment difficulties, and develop more secure ways of relating. Client-Centered Therapy emphasises empathy, nonjudgemental listening, and the client's own capacity for growth. It is well suited to people seeking support with self-esteem, life transitions, and emotional processing by offering a supportive environment in which clients lead the pace and focus of work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, providing practical strategies to manage anxiety, low mood, and stress by testing unhelpful thinking and building new coping skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and Paula works collaboratively with clients to identify what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they review what is helpful and adjust the approach as the work unfolds, ensuring the process remains tailored and responsive.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to access care - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which can make scheduling easier and reduce travel barriers. For many people, these options increase consistency of contact and make it simpler to integrate therapy into daily life while still working with registered professionals and therapists who bring tailored clinical skills to each session.

Ready to start therapy with Paula Otley?

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