Paula Otley, BACP, NCPS
Integrative counsellor for grief and relationships
- Person-centred and psychodynamic
- CBT trained since 2020
- Bereavement support experience
About Paula Otley
Paula Otley brings more than 16 years of frontline bereavement support to her work, a foundation that shaped her path into professional counselling. Her early volunteering exposed her to clients navigating profound loss, and those experiences directed her toward formal training as an integrative counsellor. She trained with a relational focus, combining person-centred principles with psychodynamic insight to understand both present experience and the histories that shape it.
In 2020 Paula expanded her clinical toolkit by training in cognitive behavioural therapy, integrating practical, skills-based interventions alongside longer-term exploratory work. She has supported people in a wide range of settings - GP practices, NHS services, charities, community counselling organisations, private practice, and employee assistance programmes - and works with individuals from many different backgrounds and life circumstances. Paula meets each person as they are and focuses on building a collaborative therapeutic alliance to guide the work together.
Paula is MBACP accredited (May 2024), a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and also holds NCPS credentials. Her practice addresses grief, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, addictions, self-esteem, parenting, and a broad spectrum of life changes and neurodiversity-related concerns.
In 2020 Paula expanded her clinical toolkit by training in cognitive behavioural therapy, integrating practical, skills-based interventions alongside longer-term exploratory work. She has supported people in a wide range of settings - GP practices, NHS services, charities, community counselling organisations, private practice, and employee assistance programmes - and works with individuals from many different backgrounds and life circumstances. Paula meets each person as they are and focuses on building a collaborative therapeutic alliance to guide the work together.
Paula is MBACP accredited (May 2024), a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and also holds NCPS credentials. Her practice addresses grief, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, addictions, self-esteem, parenting, and a broad spectrum of life changes and neurodiversity-related concerns.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Paula Otley have?
Paula Otley has 16 years of experience, including extensive work as a bereavement support volunteer.
Is Paula Otley a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds credentials with BACP and NCPS. No additional license details are provided.
In which languages does Paula Otley provide therapy?
Paula provides therapy in English.
Where is Paula Otley located?
Paula is based in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Paula Otley as my therapist?
You can work with Paula through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Paula Otley work with international clients?
Yes, Paula works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Paula Otley cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Remote Care
Paula works from an integrative foundation that includes attachment-based therapy, client-centred therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy. Attachment-based therapy explores how early relationships influence current patterns of relating and can help with intimacy, abandonment, and attachment issues by focusing on emotional safety and connection. Client-centred therapy emphasises acceptance, empathy, and the client’s own capacity for growth - it is useful for building self-esteem, navigating grief, and improving communication in relationships. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) offers practical strategies to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, helping with anxiety, depression, stress, and certain trauma-related symptoms.
Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Paula collaborates with each person to identify goals, preferences, and the methods that feel most helpful, adjusting the mix of approaches as work unfolds so the plan matches the client’s needs.
Online therapy with Paula is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. Remote sessions make it easier to maintain continuity of care across locations and life changes, and they allow therapists and clients to focus on meaningful progress without the constraints of travel.