Paula Bantick-Ward

Paula Bantick-Ward is a counsellor with eight years' experience helping people navigate hard times. She aims to make counselling accessible and affordable. Paula offers one-to-one and couple work and can provide online or telephone sessions. She is a BACP member, which she cites as the ethical framework for her practice.

Paula uses a person-centred stance in sessions. She listens without judgement and works to understand how people feel. Her approach is warm and non-directive, which means she follows the client's lead while offering empathy and reflection.

Alongside person-centred work, Paula draws on a range of approaches to meet practical needs. She uses techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy and solution-focused brief therapy when helpful. She may also use creative tasks such as metaphor, journaling or creative writing to help people access feelings and make sense of experience.

She works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, depression, eating and anger difficulties, and low self-esteem. Additional focuses include abandonment, attachment issues, blended family concerns, caregiver stress and issues linked to adoption and foster care.

Paula invites those who are unsure about counselling to take the first step. She helps people make sense of their feelings, find a voice, and decide on practical next steps. Booking begins by completing the site questionnaire and scheduling according to availability.

How her approaches translate to online work

Paula uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centred Therapy as part of her toolbox. ACT focuses on noticing thoughts and values, then taking small real-world steps that match what matters to the person; it can help with anxiety, avoidance and low mood. Client-centred work centres on genuine, non-judgemental listening and reflection, helping people feel heard and clearer about their own choices.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. Paula will work with each person to decide which methods match their needs, goals and preferences. That decision is collaborative and can change as therapy progresses.

The biography states that Paula offers online and telephone sessions. Please confirm the exact session formats before booking so you know what to expect. Online or phone work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Therapists and registered or accredited professionals often adapt exercises such as journaling, values work or behavioural experiments so they suit remote sessions and everyday life.