Counsellor profile
Paula Otley, BACP, NCPS
Counsellor - Grief and family related concerns
Continue with PaulaAbout
- Bereavement support
- CBT techniques
- Attachment focus
About Paula
Paula Otley is a counsellor registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and NCPS, with 16 years of experience supporting people through loss and life changes.
She began working as a bereavement support volunteer and spent many years helping people through some of their darkest days. That early work shaped her decision to train as an integrative counsellor. Paula draws on person-centred and psychodynamic ideas in her practice.
Paula offers a straightforward way of working. She builds a therapeutic relationship and uses it to help people talk through stress, anxiety, grief, relationship strains, parenting pressures, low self-esteem and other concerns. She has also supported people with addictions, sleep and eating issues, bipolar mood challenges, ADHD and compassion fatigue.
In 2020 Paula trained in cognitive behavioural therapy and folded CBT techniques into her practice. She also uses attachment-based thinking and mindfulness approaches where they fit the work. Her background includes roles in GP practice, the NHS, charities, community counselling and employee assistance programmes.
Sessions aim to be collaborative and paced to the person. Paula emphasises working together to identify small, practical steps as well as talking about past experience. She welcomes people from varied backgrounds and says most progress comes from steady, honest conversations rather than quick fixes.
How sessions work
How her approaches work online
Paula combines attachment-based thinking, client-centred listening and cognitive behavioural techniques in ways that suit the person. Attachment-based ideas look at how early relationships shape current patterns and help when someone struggles with closeness or trust. Client-centred work focuses on listening and reflecting so a person can make sense of their feelings. Cognitive behavioural techniques offer practical exercises to test unhelpful thoughts and build small behavioural changes.Deciding which approach to use is part of the work. Paula will discuss goals, preferences and practical needs with each person and agree a plan together. That means the method can change as the work progresses and as different issues arise.
Please confirm the exact online session formats before booking, as the profile does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Many people find remote sessions help them keep therapy regular alongside work, childcare and other commitments.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship strain, parenting pressures, low self-esteem, depression and related issues listed in her profile.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is integrative, using person-centred listening alongside psychodynamic thinking and practical CBT techniques when appropriate.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 16 years of experience, starting with bereavement volunteering and later moving into counselling roles across several settings.
What are her professional credentials and location?
She is registered with BACP and NCPS and practises from the United Kingdom.
Can I work with her if I live outside the UK?
She accepts international clients and offers sessions in English.
Which session formats does she offer?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the profile does not specify the formats offered.
How are sessions priced?
Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.