Paula Caffrey, BACP - Therapist in United Kingdom

Client-Centred Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Internal Family Systems

About Paula

Paula Caffrey is a BACP counsellor (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) with 20 years of experience in the United Kingdom. She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief and depression. Paula also focuses on issues such as abandonment, attachment, codependency, communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame. She offers straightforward, adult-focused support for people struggling with these concerns.

Paula uses a mix of familiar counselling styles so sessions are practical and conversational. She draws on Client-Centred Therapy to follow the client's priorities and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to look at thoughts and behaviours that maintain distress. She also uses Psychodynamic ideas and Internal Family Systems to understand patterns that repeat over time.

Her background includes roles with substance-misuse charities, rape and sexual abuse services, and work as a staff counsellor within a UK health trust. She has provided individual counselling and group facilitation and has run a private practice since 2010. Her experience covers mild to severe mental health issues, trauma, loss, low self-esteem, relationships, life transitions and addictions.

In sessions Paula tends to work in a non-prescriptive way. She listens to a person's concerns and then offers techniques or perspectives that fit those aims. Practical tools, reflective conversation and attention to inner parts of experience are commonly used during the work.

For people carrying guilt or shame Paula will help name the feeling, look at where it comes from, and work on patterns that keep it active. The focus is on clear, steady steps rather than quick fixes, with the client deciding how many sessions to try.

How Paula's approaches translate to online work

Paula uses Client-Centred Therapy to prioritise what matters to the client, keeping sessions directed by the person's agenda. This approach supports people who want to focus on current worries like guilt, shame or relationship strain. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and test thoughts and habits that keep distress going, which can lead to clear, step-by-step practice between sessions. Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps map different parts of a person, so someone can understand the inner voices that fuel self-criticism or addictive behaviours.

Deciding which approach to use is collaborative. Paula will listen to the issues, goals and preferences, and then suggest ways of working. Together the client and counsellor can try different techniques and adjust the plan as the work unfolds.

Session formats are not specified in the supplied information, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit counselling around work or family life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or avoid travel time. Registered or accredited professionals often use a mix of talking and practical exercises that translate to remote sessions, and Paula will explain how to use the chosen methods in everyday life.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse Grief Depression

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Attachment issuesAvoidant personalityCaregiver issues and stress Codependency Commitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Psychodynamic TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

20+ years

Listed in

United Kingdom

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she work with?

She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief and depression, and related issues such as guilt and shame.

How would she approach guilt or shame?

She helps name the feeling, trace where it comes from, and use practical steps and inner parts work to reduce its hold.

What is her professional background?

She has 20 years' experience, including roles with substance-misuse charities, rape and sexual abuse services, and as a staff counsellor in a UK health trust.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a BACP counsellor and works in the United Kingdom; registration is MBACP (Accred) as supplied.

Can sessions be conducted in other languages?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she accept international clients?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are sessions paid for?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.