Paula Newman

 Counselling is a confidential and supportive space for you to explore and to address your needs, troubles and concerns. People often gain new insights and greater confidence in their own strengths.

As a person-centred therapist it is my intention to understand how issues are from your point of view. Counselling is non-judgmental and hopefully you will feel able to speak freely about whatever matters to you. 

My experience

I am a BACP Senior Accredited counsellor and supervisor with  twenty years experience. I enjoy working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. I have worked in various organisations including mental health, drugs and alcohol, young people and  primary school.

I have been awarded an online Autism Awareness Diploma and I have experience of working with dyspraxia, dyslexia and AD(H)D.

Clients I work with

Individuals - adults, young people and children. I also counsel trainees on counselling courses.

Couples

Families

How I deliver therapy

Counselling can be long or short term depending upon your needs and wishes. We can discuss what is in your best interests together.

When you arrive for your first session I will do all that I can to help you feel at ease. I am interested in getting to know you and hearing about what it is that has brought you to counselling.

I will explain my confidentiality policy to you and you are most welcome to ask me questions about counselling and the way I work. I have a client agreement form and data protection policy which we can also discuss.

You may wish to talk about what you are hoping to gain from counselling, or you might not be sure yet. Often this becomes clearer as therapy progresses. It may be that you are feeling distressed and want to speak about your issue immediately.

I am here to listen and to support you in moving forward. People often find that counselling helps them to reach understandings and to know themselves at a deeper level.

I teach Focusing to  therapists and people who are interested in personal development. Focusing is a gentle way of paying ourselves attention and deepening self-awareness. It trusts that our body knows and can tell us what we need for physical and emotional health.

Focusing creates space for self-exploration and becoming a more empathic and accepting listener. Therapists can consider bringing Focusing to their practice.

I am a Registered teacher with the British Focusing Association (BFA). Training is online or face to face. Working as a group is an important part of the training. I hope that you will find the group experience both enjoyable and growthful.

The British Focusing Association Certificate in Focusing Skills

There are five leves, each gently building upon previous learning. The certificate includes a combination of theory, group discussion, exercises and practicing Focusing and Companioning in pairs. 

Topics include: Focusing with physical pain and ailments; wholebody Focusing; The inner critic; Focusing with trauma; Focusing with deams; Action blocks; bringing Focusing to your therapy practice.

Outcomes

Able to Focus with a Companion.

Able to Companion a Focuser.

Learnt about Focusing theory including the ideas of Gene Gendlin, Inner relationship Focusing and Whole body Focusing.

Learnt about trauma from a Focusing perspective.

Experiences of being self-in-presence as a way of being grounded.

Application of Focusing in various areas for example physical ailments, working with the inner critic and working with dreams.

There is further information about Focusing and Focusing training on my website. You are welcome to contact me if you would like to discuss the training.

 I am a BACP Senior Accredited Supervisor working with experienced and trainee practitioners. I hope that you will find our supervisory relationship both supportive and gently challenging. My collaborative approach involves working together so as to understand therapeutic relationships, assist you in meeting the needs of clients and attending to your personal and professional development.

I work in private practice and also have experience supervising groups at a college counselling service, a young people's organisation and a general counselling placement.

My therapy approach is person-centred. As your supervisor it is my intention to support helpful and ethical practice according to your own modality.

I am also a Focusing trainer registered with the British Focusing Association. As such I am qualified to include Focusing as part of you supervisory explorations if requested.

You are most welcome to contact me if there is anything that you would like to ask, and to arrange a short, free meeting.

Usually we can work online or face to face, depending upon your needs and wishes. Due to the corona virus all sessions are currently online.