Paula Reilly, BACP

Paula Reilly is a BACP counsellor based in the United Kingdom who supports people with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, parenting challenges and self-esteem issues. She also helps with grief, trauma and abuse, depression, anger and coping with life changes. Paula listens without judgement and aims to create a warm space where people can tell their story and be heard.

Her practice draws on three years of experience working with individuals affected by complex trauma. She has a Bachelor of Honours degree in counselling from Staffordshire University. Paula takes a personal approach and encourages people to try ways of managing difficult thoughts and everyday habits that get in the way of daily life.

In sessions she works collaboratively to identify practical steps and small changes. That might mean noticing unhelpful thinking patterns, trying new ways to respond in relationships, or learning calm-down strategies. She emphasises what the person needs now and adapts the pace accordingly.

Paula’s approach is influenced by attachment-based ideas, client-centred listening and cognitive-behavioural techniques, alongside mindfulness and narrative work. She invites people to explore their experiences and unpack recurring patterns at a manageable pace.

Her background includes work supporting parents and caregivers and work with couples who want clearer communication and greater understanding. She welcomes international clients and provides services in English. To begin, people complete a short questionnaire and schedule sessions through the Start Therapy button.

How Paula’s approaches translate to online work

Attachment-based ideas focus on how early relationships shape current ways of relating. In practice this means noticing patterns in close relationships and gently testing different ways of connecting that feel safer and more satisfying. Client-centred work places the person’s experience at the centre, with the therapist providing active listening and reflection to help clarify thoughts and feelings. Cognitive-behavioural techniques look at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and offer simple experiments and strategies to change unhelpful patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Paula will work together with each person to decide which combination of ideas fits their needs, goals and preferences. She encourages feedback and adapts work as understanding grows so the plan evolves with the client.

The original biography does not specify session formats, so please confirm which options are currently offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy around everyday life - for example, shorter check-ins can slot into a lunch break, or not needing to travel can save time on busy days. It can also allow people to continue regular support while living abroad or during life transitions, and the methods above can be used effectively at a distance with a focus on practical homework, noticing thoughts and practising new relationship responses.