Paula Otley , BACP, NCPS

Paula Otley brings more than 16 years of experience supporting people through loss and life changes. MBACP accredited in May 2024, she began her work as a bereavement support volunteer, offering steady presence to individuals facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives and finding her vocation in counselling through that work.

She trained as an integrative counsellor with a specialism in person-centred and psychodynamic approaches, working from a relational perspective that prioritises the therapeutic relationship. In 2020 she added cognitive behavioural therapy training to extend her range of interventions and better meet a variety of client needs. Her practice draws on this integrated toolkit to address issues such as grief, anxiety, relationships, trauma, addiction, self-esteem and many life transitions.

Paula has worked across multiple settings, including GP practices, the NHS, charities, community counselling services, private practice and employee assistance programmes, and she meets people from all walks of life where they are. She emphasises collaboration and a strong therapeutic alliance, working together with each client to set goals and decide the most helpful way forward.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Paula Otley works from an integrative perspective that blends several established approaches to suit different needs. Client-centred therapy focuses on a supportive, non-judgemental relationship that helps people explore their feelings and priorities, and it is often useful for improving self-esteem, relationships and coping with life changes. Psychodynamic therapy explores how past relationships and unconscious patterns influence current behaviour and emotional life, which can help with long-standing relational difficulties and recurring emotional themes. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) offers practical strategies to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, and it is commonly used for anxiety, low mood and stress-related concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Paula collaborates with each person to understand their needs, goals and preferences, and she tailors methods so therapy feels like a shared effort rather than a prescribed course.

Online therapy with Paula is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier for people to access support from wherever they are, while working with licensed professionals and therapists who adapt their tools to fit the individual.