Doreen Patenall

Doreen Patenall is a PACFA counsellor with 25 years of professional experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma, or grief. Doreen aims to build a calm, non-judgemental space where clients can speak openly and begin to find clearer ways forward.

Her approach is straightforward and collaborative. She listens first, then works with each person to set practical goals and try strategies that fit day-to-day life. Sessions focus on skills you can use between meetings as well as on understanding patterns that keep problems stuck.

Doreen draws on a mix of therapeutic approaches to suit different needs. She uses tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is used to help people live by their values even when difficult feelings are present.

Attachment-based ideas are used to notice how early relationship experiences shape current connections and reactions. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills are offered for managing strong emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness when needed.

She also supports people through big life transitions, including divorce and separation, by helping them manage emotions, practical decisions, and the impact on everyday routine. Doreen encourages small, steady steps and practical coping strategies that make life feel more manageable.

To begin, she invites people to reflect on what matters most to them and to take one courageous step towards change with a therapist alongside them.

How therapy approaches translate to online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then take steps that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and adjusting after a separation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviours to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. It is often used for panic, phobias, and social anxiety. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship experiences shape current reactions and connection patterns, which can help when relationships or trust have been damaged.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and tailor the mix of methods to the person’s goals, needs, and preferences. This is a collaborative process where methods are adapted over time if something is not helpful.

Please confirm current session options before booking since specific formats are not listed in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce time spent travelling, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people join from a quieter spot, use fewer resources like bandwidth, or avoid being on camera for some sessions. Appropriately qualified therapists can work with these practical benefits to help keep therapy consistent with everyday life.