Paula Smyton, BACP
Warm, integrative counselling for life and relationships
- Psychodynamic and integrative approach
- Relationship and family support
- Anxiety stress and low mood
About Paula Smyton
Paula Smyton is a UK-based counsellor and BACP-registered practitioner who works with a psychodynamic and integrative style. She is also a qualified teacher and brings around 10 years of experience across counselling services, education, mental health settings, and private practice. Paula supports people who may have been trying to manage alone for a long time - appearing fine on the outside while privately struggling with anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship or family difficulties, loss, life transitions, or a persistent sense that something is not quite right.
Some people begin therapy feeling overwhelmed by multiple pressures at once, while others feel emotionally worn down after carrying responsibilities, worries, or long-running relationship strains. Paula offers a space where clients can pause, reflect, and start making sense of what has been happening, without judgement and without needing to have everything figured out before they begin.
Her work is rooted in psychodynamic therapy, exploring how earlier experiences and recurring relationship patterns can shape thoughts, feelings, and connections in the present. Alongside this, she draws on integrative approaches, including person-centred and solution-focused therapy, to tailor the work to each person’s needs and circumstances. Much of Paula’s practice focuses on relationships - with partners, family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the relationship a person has with themselves. Together, clients can explore patterns, better understand emotional responses, and build clarity around what feels difficult. Paula aims to offer a calm, compassionate, and supportive therapeutic space where clients can be themselves, feel heard, and feel less alone as they navigate life’s challenges.
Some people begin therapy feeling overwhelmed by multiple pressures at once, while others feel emotionally worn down after carrying responsibilities, worries, or long-running relationship strains. Paula offers a space where clients can pause, reflect, and start making sense of what has been happening, without judgement and without needing to have everything figured out before they begin.
Her work is rooted in psychodynamic therapy, exploring how earlier experiences and recurring relationship patterns can shape thoughts, feelings, and connections in the present. Alongside this, she draws on integrative approaches, including person-centred and solution-focused therapy, to tailor the work to each person’s needs and circumstances. Much of Paula’s practice focuses on relationships - with partners, family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the relationship a person has with themselves. Together, clients can explore patterns, better understand emotional responses, and build clarity around what feels difficult. Paula aims to offer a calm, compassionate, and supportive therapeutic space where clients can be themselves, feel heard, and feel less alone as they navigate life’s challenges.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Paula Smyton have?
Paula Smyton has 10 years of experience working with clients.
Is Paula Smyton a licensed therapist?
Yes. Paula Smyton holds BACP credentials.
In which languages does Paula Smyton provide therapy?
Paula Smyton provides therapy in English.
Where is Paula Smyton located?
Paula Smyton is located in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Paula Smyton as my therapist?
You can work with Paula Smyton through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, depending on what feels most comfortable and what is available.
Does Paula Smyton work with international clients?
Yes. Paula Smyton works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Paula Smyton cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Integrative approaches, made accessible through online therapy
Paula Smyton draws from several evidence-informed approaches, selecting what fits each client and the concerns they want to work on. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on noticing unhelpful thought patterns and testing practical ways to respond differently, which can be useful when anxiety, low mood, stress, or self-esteem concerns feel stuck on repeat.Psychodynamic therapy looks at how earlier experiences and recurring relationship patterns can shape emotions and choices in the present. This approach can be helpful for people who want to understand the deeper roots of relationship difficulties, long-standing emotional strain, or a sense that something is not quite right. Paula also integrates a client-centered style, offering a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can speak openly, set the pace, and clarify what they need.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. Paula works collaboratively, checking in about what feels helpful and adapting sessions to a client’s goals, preferences, and current circumstances, whether they arrive with clear aims or are still figuring things out.
Online therapy can make support easier to fit into everyday life. Clients can connect through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing flexibility around schedules, energy levels, and location, including for international clients.