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Home Counsellors Paula Smyton
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Paula Smyton, BACP

Credentials
BACP
Experience
10 years
Practising in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Sessions
Online only
Client ages
Adults, 18 and over

Works with Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepression

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Paula Smyton is a UK counsellor with ten years of experience across counselling services, education, mental health settings and independent practice. She holds BACP accreditation, and combines psychodynamic ideas with person-centred ways of working. Paula offers a calm, thoughtful space where people can talk through what feels hard right now.

Many people see her after trying to cope alone for a long time. They may look fine on the outside but feel anxious, low, exhausted, or stuck in difficult relationship patterns.

Background and approach

Paula meets each person where they are and does not expect them to have answers on arrival. Sessions focus on understanding how past experiences and repeated patterns shape current feelings and reactions. Paula gently helps people notice recurring themes in relationships, work and family life.

She also uses practical, solution-focused ideas when helpful to address immediate problems. Therapy with Paula is collaborative and paced to the individual. She listens without judgement and works to make the process straightforward and manageable.

People commonly bring worries about anxiety, depression, grief, parenting strains, sleep and eating, sexual or intimacy issues, trauma and life changes. Paula supports people exploring identity and LGBT concerns as well as those coping with career stress, anger, bipolar mood challenges and low self-esteem.

Her aim is to help people feel heard, clearer about their choices, and more capable of coping with everyday demands.

Therapeutic approaches suited to online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, invites people to notice difficult thoughts and feelings without fighting them, and to take action that matches their values. It can help with anxiety, low mood, grief and finding direction after life changes.

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on creating a warm, non-judgemental space where the person is listened to and understood. This approach supports people who feel overwhelmed, exhausted or unsure how to make sense of their relationships and emotions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Paula will talk with the person about their needs, goals and preferences and try different ways of working until a good fit is found. That process is collaborative and paced to what feels manageable.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video works well for face-to-face conversation; phone can be better when bandwidth is limited or a brief check-in is needed. Text and live chat suit people who prefer to write their thoughts or to fit sessions around a busy day. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent alongside work, family and other commitments.
What kinds of problems does Paula address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, parenting pressures, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy issues, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, career worries, bipolar and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style blends psychodynamic listening with person-centred warmth and practical, solution-focused tools when needed to address day-to-day problems.
What is her professional background?
Paula has around ten years' experience working across counselling services, education, mental health settings and independent practice.
Where is she based and what credential does she hold?
She practises in the United Kingdom and holds BACP accreditation as stated in her credentials.
Can sessions be held in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Which session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging so people can choose what suits them best.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

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Therapeutic approaches

Experience
10 years
Registered with
BACP
Languages
English

Contacting Paula

Paula takes enquiries through BetterHelp. You answer a few questions about what you are looking for, then arrange sessions if it seems like a fit. Browsing costs nothing and you are not committing to anything by reading this page.

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