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PA Portrait of Paula Appleton

Paula Appleton

Supportive counsellor who combines practical therapies

BACP, NCPS United Kingdom

Experience
14 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches
Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English, American Sign Language

About Paula

Paula Appleton is a counsellor with 14 years of experience in the United Kingdom. She holds BACP and NCPS credentials and blends several therapy approaches to suit each person.

Background and approach

Paula works with people on issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction and grief. She also supports those dealing with trauma, relationship and intimacy concerns, and life changes.

She uses an integrative style, drawing on approaches like the Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and attachment-based ideas. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear conversation.

Paula explains things plainly and helps people map out realistic goals. Paula has experience supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing people and uses Signed Supported English and British Sign Language at a qualified level.

She also works with clients facing chronic illness, caregiving stress, eating and sleeping problems, and neurodiversity-related concerns such as autism and ADHD. Work in sessions can include skill-building from cognitive behavioural methods, exploring values and acceptance from ACT, and strengthening emotional connection informed by attachment thinking.

The aim is to find tools that fit each person’s life and needs. Paula balances active skills practice with listening and reflection.

Practical details are straightforward. Sessions are offered via video, phone, live chat or text messaging, and she is open to international clients.

Costs vary by location and are managed through a cancellable subscription model. To begin, users complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

How Paula’s approaches translate to online therapy

Paula integrates several established approaches and adapts them for online work. The Gottman Method focuses on practical ways to improve communication and manage conflict; online sessions can use guided conversation and structured exercises to practise new interaction patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice their thoughts and commit to values-based action; this can include short exercises, values clarification and behavioural experiments that fit into everyday life.

Finding the right approach is part of the consultation. Paula will discuss goals, preferences and what feels manageable, and then suggest a blend of methods to try. That way the work stays collaborative and can be adjusted if something isn’t helpful.

Online therapy offers options to suit different circumstances. Video calls let people use visual cues and shared screens for worksheets. Phone sessions can be used when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging are useful for shorter check-ins, reflection between sessions or when written communication feels easier. These formats make therapy more flexible for busy schedules, caregiving duties and international time zones.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and grief, plus trauma, relationship and intimacy issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses an integrative approach combining plain conversation, practical skill-building and emotional exploration to suit each person.
How much experience does she have?
She has 14 years of experience working with a wide range of presenting issues across different age groups.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds BACP and NCPS credentials and practices from the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and American Sign Language, and she uses Signed Supported English and BSL at a qualified level.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to match different needs and schedules.
How does cost work?
Costs vary by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counsellingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centred TherapyCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family SystemsSystemic Therapy

Experience

14+ years

Registered with

BACP, NCPS

Languages

English, American Sign Language