- Psychodynamic therapy
- Person-centred approach
- Solution-focused work
About Paula
Paula Smyton is a UK counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and around 10 years' experience. She has worked in counselling services, education, mental health settings and private practice. Paula supports people dealing with anxiety, low mood, relationship strain, family pressures, stress, grief, and anger.
She often meets people who look as if they are coping but feel worn out underneath. Some have juggled several problems at once and come to therapy feeling exhausted. Others want help making sense of recurring difficulties in relationships or managing intense emotions such as anger and frustration.
Paula describes her main clinical base as psychodynamic therapy. She uses it to look at how past experiences and relationship patterns shape present feelings and behaviour. That work often helps clients notice repeating patterns and understand why certain situations trigger strong reactions.
Alongside psychodynamic work she draws on person-centred approaches and solution-focused ideas. This mix lets Paula adjust sessions according to what each person needs. Sessions can include reflecting on past events, practical steps to manage difficult feelings, and short-term tools to reduce distress.
Her practice pays attention to relationships with partners, family members, colleagues and with the self. The work aims to clarify emotional responses, reduce overwhelm, and build steadier ways of managing anger and other strong feelings. Paula encourages a measured pace so people can explore things without pressure to have answers straight away.
How Paula blends approaches in online sessions
Paula commonly uses psychodynamic therapy to explore how earlier experiences and relationship patterns influence current feelings and reactions. That approach can help when anger or repeated relationship problems keep returning and feel hard to shift.She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. ACT helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose valued actions, while CBT offers practical steps to change thinking and reduce distress in daily situations. These approaches suit issues like anxiety, low mood, stress and coping with anger.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Paula will help someone try different ways of working and agree on what feels useful. The choice depends on the person's goals, experience and what feels manageable in sessions.
The exact online session formats should be confirmed before booking. Check the current options when you sign up so you know how sessions are run. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time while still using practical CBT tools or ACT exercises during the session.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of difficulties does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, anger, sleep and eating issues, and life changes.
What is her general approach in sessions?
Her work is grounded in psychodynamic therapy, with person-centred and solution-focused elements to suit the person and the issue.
How long has she been practising?
She has around 10 years of experience across counselling services, education, mental health settings and private practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages can sessions be held in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with her?
She accepts international clients, so people outside the UK can enquire about working together.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an initial session.