Online therapy · United Kingdom In crisis? Call 116 123 (Samaritans, free, any hour)
Book with Paula
Home Therapists Paula Otley
Portrait of Paula Otley
Listing details supplied
Online only

Paula Otley

BACP, NCPS ยท United Kingdom

Calm, relational counselling with practical tools

Experience
16 years
Practising in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Session type
Online only

About Paula

Paula Otley meets people where they are and offers calm, practical support for difficult times. She focuses on helping people cope with grief, anxiety, low mood and stresses that affect daily life. Paula works in plain language and aims to build a reliable therapeutic relationship first, so clients feel understood before any practical steps are taken.

Paula trained as an integrative counsellor with a person-centred and psychodynamic emphasis. She then added cognitive behavioural therapy in 2020 to widen the range of ways she can help.

Background and approach

Her credentials include BACP and NCPS registrations, and she has worked across NHS, GP practice, charities and personal settings. For more than 16 years Paula has supported people experiencing loss as a bereavement volunteer. That experience shaped her preference for a steady, relational approach when people are struggling with major life changes or trauma.

She draws on attachment-informed ideas to look at how past relationships affect present feelings and behaviour. Sessions are collaborative and paced to suit each person. Paula combines reflective listening with practical tools from CBT and mindfulness so people can try small changes between sessions.

She also addresses concerns such as addictions, sleep and eating problems, self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Paula offers online sessions in English and accepts international clients. She aims to help people find clearer ways to cope, make decisions and rebuild confidence after loss or other life challenges.

What Paula works with

Primary focus
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGrief
Also works with

How Paula works

Attachment-Based Therapy

Listed by Paula among the ways they work.

Client-Centred Therapy

Listed by Paula among the ways they work.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Listed by Paula among the ways they work.

Mindfulness Therapy

Listed by Paula among the ways they work.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Listed by Paula among the ways they work.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Listed by Paula among the ways they work.

Sessions & fees

Approaches you can use in online sessions

Attachment-based work looks at how early relationships shape how people feel and respond now. It helps when past hurts or attachment patterns affect current stress, intimacy or grief. Client-centred therapy focuses on being listened to without judgement so people can find their own solutions; it suits those who want a steady, respectful space to talk. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) breaks down unhelpful thoughts and behaviours into manageable steps and is useful for anxiety, low mood and sleep or eating concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work together with the client to choose methods that match needs, goals and preferences. That might mean starting with a listening, person-centred approach and adding CBT tasks or attachment-focused reflection when useful.

Online therapy with Paula uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to make counselling easier to fit into life. Video lets the therapist and client see non-verbal cues, phone calls need less bandwidth and can work well on busy days, and messaging or live chat can suit quick check-ins or people who prefer typing. These options offer flexibility for different schedules, quieter surroundings and practical ways to keep therapy consistent when life is busy.
Session lengthTypically 50 minutes
Client agesAdults, 18 and over
FeesSubscription via BetterHelp, cancel anytime
InsuranceNot billed directly

Questions people ask

What concerns does Paula often help with?
Paula works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief and self-esteem problems as well as relationship and intimacy issues. She also supports people with addiction, sleep and eating problems and trauma-related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is relational and person-centred, with practical elements added from cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness. Sessions aim to combine listening with small, usable strategies to try between meetings.
How long has she been practising?
She has 16 years of experience supporting people, including long-term bereavement volunteer work and roles in multiple care settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
Paula is listed with BACP and NCPS and practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats does she offer?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with Paula?
Start by choosing the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
16 years
Registered with
BACP, NCPS
Languages
English

More counsellors working with stress, anxiety

See all →