Paula Appleton, BACP, NCPS

Counsellor - stress and anxiety

Integrative approach
BSL and ASL support
14 years experience

About Paula

Paula Appleton is a counsellor and a member of BACP and NCPS with 14 years' experience in the United Kingdom. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and a wide range of related issues. Sessions are conducted in English and she also uses American Sign Language where needed.

Paula uses an integrative approach, blending different methods to match what an individual needs. She aims to be practical in sessions, helping people talk through current problems and find coping strategies they can use day to day. She has experience supporting people after bereavement, trauma and sexual abuse, and with issues such as sleep, eating, intimacy and self-esteem.

She is familiar with longer-term concerns as well as shorter, problem-focused work. That includes support for people managing addiction, bipolar mood challenges, career stress, and compassion fatigue. Paula also notes additional focus areas including adoption and foster care, attachment issues and the needs of people with autism spectrum conditions.

Paula has experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing clients and uses Signed Supported English or British Sign Language at an NVQ Level 6 standard where appropriate. This is part of her everyday practice when communication needs make that helpful.

Her way of working follows the BACP Ethical Framework and aims to keep sessions clear and straightforward. She suggests people think in practical steps about what they want to change and brings a mix of talking and skill-building to sessions.

Therapeutic approaches used in online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and identifying what matters to you. It can help with anxiety, low mood and coping with change.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships influence current patterns with others. It is useful when people are dealing with relationship difficulties, attachment problems or issues rooted in past care experiences.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The counsellor will discuss options and agree what to try based on your needs, goals and preferences. Decisions about methods are made together and can change as progress is made.

Confirm the session formats before booking so you know how she currently offers sessions. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, avoid travel and choose quieter surroundings. It can also allow shorter check-ins when time is limited or sessions without video when that suits you better.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Depression

Also works with

Addictions LGBT Grief Intimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issues Body imageCancerCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issues Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issues Mood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissism Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harm Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaVisually impairedWomen's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family SystemsSystemic Therapy

Experience

14+ years

Listed in

United Kingdom

Languages

English, American Sign Language

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression and addiction among other issues. The list also includes grief, trauma, intimacy and sleep or eating concerns.

What is her therapeutic style?

She uses an integrative approach, combining methods to match each person. Sessions focus on talking, practical skills and coping strategies.

How long has she been practising?

She has 14 years of experience working with people in a counselling role. That includes varied work across mental health and life challenges.

Which professional bodies is she associated with and where is she based?

She is a member of BACP and NCPS and practises in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and American Sign Language. She also uses Signed Supported English and British Sign Language at NVQ Level 6 where needed.

Can international clients work with her?

She accepts international clients. Check how sessions are arranged when you make contact.

How are fees and payment handled?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time. Exact fees depend on the chosen arrangement.

How do I start a first session?

Select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.

Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.

Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.

Back to all counsellors