Paula Pratt

Member Status: Accredited

Member No: NCS20-00839

Location: Aberdeen

I'm Paula, I'm 41, I live in Aberdeen, Scotland and all of who you are is welcome with me. 

I have been a counsellor since 2014 and also have a corporate career. I maintain my wellbeing through swimming, yoga, exercise, meditation, journaling, dance, breathwork and therapy (as well as pizza and Netflix!) so that I can be as present as possible with you in our session.

The therapeutic relationship that we create between us is where the healing takes place and in working with me you will experience a warm and welcoming space for you to share, pause, contemplate and process what is going on for you. There will be a surprising amount of laughter too, its not all heavy-going! 

I offer a holistic approach to assist your mind and body in moving from survival mode to rest, relaxation, healing and wellbeing and in addition to talk therapy I'm very happy to offer sessions that include a blend of the following practices and materials to assist you in your journey back to “you”:

~ Polyvagal Theory, understanding how the presence and absence of safety and danger in our environment and relationships affects our instinctive responses to people, places and situations

~ Internal Family Systems, understanding that our personalities have different ‘parts’ that always have good intentions but may create undesired reactions, responses and behaviour

~ Yoga, movement and breathwork for unwinding and supporting body and mind

~ Meditation guidance and practice

~ Sound healing for relaxation and integration

~ Self-care and wellbeing practices

~ Resources and references follow-up after most sessions

Whatever you are going through, it will be my honour to assist you in any way I can.

• Qualifications & Experience

  Since 2014 I have worked with clients in both short and long term relationships as they come to terms with change, loss, grief, crisis and despair.
  
  My clients include people living with depression, anxiety, self-injury, suicidal ideation, learning differences, trauma of neglect in childhood and adult relationships, trauma of abuse in childhood and adult relationships, many kinds of addictive and compulsive behaviours, workplace and academic stress, and relationship challenges as friend, colleague, child, partner, sibling and parent.
  
  Training, qualifications and ongoing studies:
  
  PG Diploma in Psychological Wellbeing, Counselling & Psychotherapy - Persona Development & Training, University of Aberdeen (2018)
  
  Volunteer Counsellor Training - ACIS, Aberdeen (2014)
  
  COSCA Counselling Skills 1 and 2 - Glasgow Council on Alcohol, Glasgow (2013)
  
  Introduction to Counselling - Open University (2013)
  
  Compassionate Inquiry, Gabor Mate (2019)
  
  Polyvagal Theory, Dab Dana (2020)
  
  Internal Family Systems, Dr Lexi Rothman (2021)
• What I can help with

  • Abortion
  • Abuse – Emotional, Physical, Sexual
  • Addiction (e.g. Alcohol, Computer games, Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex, Smoking)
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Assertiveness / Self-confidence / Self-esteem
  • Bereavement / Loss
  • Bullying
  • Depression
  • Divorce & Separation
  • Emotional issues
  • Family
  • Gender identity
  • Generally unhappy with your life
  • IBS / Digestive Issues
  • Job interviews
  • Mindfulness
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Panic attacks
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / PTSD
  • Relationships
  • Relaxation
  • Self-defeating behaviours
  • Self-esteem
  • Self-harm
  • Sexuality Identity
  • Shyness / Social Phobia
  • Sleep
  • Spirituality
  • Stress
  • Suicidal feelings
  • Trauma