About Me

“Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.” – Brené Brown

Hi there,

I'm Paula,

I started my working life as a chef, and during this time, I began working as a volunteer firstly with a befriending charity, and then as a welfare rights worker.

I loved working in the voluntary sector and decided to study Community Education. For the majority of my working life, I’ve been in the third sector, engaged in community work, youth work, and caring for young people in residential settings. My interest in psychotherapy grew from completing an introduction to counselling, which was part of a new job.

Training

I am trained in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am a Counsellor Member of COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland).

Qualifications

Person Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy DipHE - The University of the Highlands and Islands
COSCA Skills Certificate in Counselling – Borders College
Health and Social Care Cert HE – The Open University

I work within the COSCA ethical framework and receive regular supervision from an external supervisor. I participate in continuous professional development to enhance and develop my practice.

I work with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, bereavement, abuse, low mood, relationship issues, (including domestic abuse), anger, addiction, redundancy, self-harm, gender and sexuality, spirituality and long term health conditions. I have experience of working with people who have diverse backgrounds, identities, cultures and religious beliefs.

Counselling can help us re-connect with the essence of who we are. A time and space to press the pause button and talk about what is happening within our lives and our relationships. My style of working is based on building a trusting and open relationship with the client, which is the basis for all therapeutic work.

Daily interactions with family and friends can often leave us feeling as if we only talk about the everyday parts of our lives. Therapy does not fix you but it can help you gain insight and perspective on your life; offering a bird’s eye view of what is going on. Being able to explore your experiences in a safe and welcoming space, is at the heart of the therapeutic process.

People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don’t find myself saying, “Soften the orange a bit on the right-hand corner.” I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.”

Carl R. Rogers, A Way of Being