Paula Caffrey

Paula Caffrey is a counsellor with over 20 years of professional experience. She is a BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP (Accred) practising in the United Kingdom. Paula works with common problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and addictions, and she also supports people facing divorce and separation. Her manner is warm and non-judgemental, and she aims to make sessions feel straightforward and manageable.

Paula left the Royal Navy after five years of service to train as a counsellor and has worked across the voluntary and NHS sectors as well as in private practice. Her background includes roles with Alcohol Focus Scotland, Action on Addiction, and a staff counsellor post within an NHS trust. This varied experience means she is familiar with substance misuse, trauma, loss and bereavement, and different levels of mental health need.

In practice Paula adapts her style to each person rather than following a rigid method. She combines elements of Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Psychodynamic work, and has integrated Internal Family Systems into her approach. Sessions focus on the client’s agenda, with practical conversations about feelings, habits and relationships.

Paula often works with issues such as attachment concerns, codependency, control problems, and difficulties around forgiveness, guilt or shame. She also supports people managing the emotional impact of separation and infidelity. Her aim is to provide a compassionate space where people can explore difficulties and build clearer ways forward.

People who come to Paula can expect an open-minded counsellor who tailors pace and intensity to individual needs. She offers flexible arrangements for the number of sessions and invites clients to work at a rhythm that feels sustainable.

How Paula’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening without judgement and following the client’s lead, which helps people feel heard and understood when they discuss stress, loss or relationship changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions interact and uses practical techniques to change unhelpful patterns, often suited to anxiety, low mood and addictive behaviours. Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers a compassionate way to understand inner parts or voices and can be helpful for trauma, self-sabotage and patterns that keep repeating.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Paula will help you decide what methods to try based on your goals, preferences and what feels useful in early sessions. That choice is collaborative and can adapt over time as you notice what helps.

Session arrangements should be confirmed before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also help when quieter surroundings or less visual focus are preferable. If you are considering working remotely, check the current session options when you arrange a first appointment.