Paula Byrne, BACP

Paula Byrne draws on six years of professional experience to support people facing stress, anxiety and relationship strain. She is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Paula writes in a straightforward way and aims to make the first step feel less daunting.

Paula creates a calm, non-judgemental space where people can talk through what is worrying them. Sessions move at the client’s pace and focus on practical steps as well as understanding feelings. She pays attention to how early attachments and patterns influence current relationships and choices.

Her background includes work in a GP surgery, a homeless hostel and with the Samaritans. Before counselling she worked as a hairdresser and barber, where she learned close listening and how small acts of care can matter. That practical grounding shapes her approach in therapy.

Paula uses several ways of working to meet different needs. She draws on attachment-based ideas to look at relationship patterns, cognitive behavioural techniques to help change unhelpful thinking, and client-centred listening to ensure people feel heard. She also uses emotionally-focused and Jungian ideas when these fit the person’s goals.

Common issues she helps people with include trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, intimacy concerns, family problems and communication difficulties. She also supports people dealing with abandonment, body image, caregiver stress, cancer-related worries and blended family challenges.

Paula offers sessions in English and accepts international clients. Her style is warm and down-to-earth, aiming to help people find practical ways to reduce distress and build on their own strengths.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Paula commonly uses attachment-based work to help people understand how early relationship patterns affect current feelings and choices; this approach is useful for worries about trust, commitment and recurring relationship issues. She also draws on cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT, which looks at the link between thoughts, feelings and actions and gives practical strategies to reduce anxiety and unhelpful behaviours.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Paula will talk with the person about their goals, try out different techniques and adjust the plan as progress is made. The focus is on what feels helpful and on building skills that fit day-to-day life rather than forcing a single method.

Online sessions offer flexibility for people with busy schedules or mobility limits. Video calls let conversations follow face-to-face rhythms, phone sessions use less bandwidth and can feel simpler for quick check-ins, while live chat or text messaging suit shorter updates and moments when typing feels easier. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, caregiving or travel and to continue work between sessions.