Paula Appleton, BACP, NCPS

Paula Appleton is a qualified counsellor based in the United Kingdom with 14 years of professional experience supporting people through a wide range of life challenges. She works from an integrative perspective, combining techniques from several therapeutic models and tailoring each approach to the individual in line with the BACP Ethical Framework. BACP refers to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and NCPS denotes professional registration, which together reflect her commitment to recognised standards of practice.

Her practice addresses many concerns including anxiety, addiction, depression, bereavement, sexual abuse, PTSD, affairs and betrayal, chronic illness, phobias and tinnitus, as well as couples and family issues. Paula also works with areas such as stress, relationship and parenting difficulties, trauma and abuse, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, and coping with life changes, and she supports clients dealing with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and addiction-related issues.

Paula is experienced in supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients and is sensitive to their communication preferences. She uses Sign Supported English (SSE) and has qualifications in British Sign Language at NVQ Level 6, and she also provides therapy in English and American Sign Language. Her practice aims to offer a compassionate space where clients can take time to focus on their wellbeing, explore difficult situations, and work through the emotional and psychological effects that life events can produce.

Working collaboratively, Paula adapts therapy to each person's needs and pace, creating a personalised plan that draws on approaches such as ACT, attachment-based work, client-centered techniques, CBT and DBT when appropriate. Her goal is to help clients build practical coping strategies and greater psychological flexibility so they can move forward with more resilience and clarity.

Approach-Focused Online Therapy with Flexible Access

Paula draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to support clients in an online setting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while building commitment to actions that reflect their values - it can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns influence current bonds and emotional responses - it is often helpful for relationship, intimacy, and family-related concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, making it effective for anxiety, depression, and many everyday challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Paula works collaboratively with each client to identify which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts plans over time so therapy remains responsive and personally relevant.

Online therapy with Paula is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options make it easier to access regular support from wherever a client is located, maintain continuity of care during life changes, and match the mode of communication to what feels most comfortable for each person.