Paula Bantick-Ward, BACP
Person-centred counsellor using Narrative approaches
Details
| Name | Paula Bantick-Ward |
|---|---|
| Credentials | BACP |
| Based in | United Kingdom |
| Registered with | BACP |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 8 |
About Paula
Paula Bantick-Ward is a counsellor with eight years' experience working with people facing stressful and painful life moments. She aims to make counselling approachable and affordable. Paula offers sessions for individuals and couples who want space to talk and think about next steps.
Paula listens without judgement and uses a person-centred way of working. This means she stays genuine and empathic, and encourages people to find their own voice. She is a registered member of the BACP, which she follows in her practice.
Background and approach
Her work draws on Narrative ideas to help people re-tell their story and spot different possibilities. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques to help with difficult feelings and unhelpful patterns. Attachment-based ideas inform how she looks at close relationships and their impacts.
Paula can invite people to try creative tools in session, such as metaphor, journalling or structured exercises. These are gentle ways to notice feelings, values and choices. Sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging to suit different needs.
People usually come for help with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, addictions or work and career pressures. Paula also supports concerns linked to identity, intimacy, eating, anger and feeling empty. She aims to help people make small, practical changes that fit their life.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship issues among the things Paula works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Depression
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Fertility issues
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Jealousy
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-harm
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Paula among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Paula directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Paula directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Paula's approaches work online
Paula draws on Narrative ideas to help people re-author their life stories, spotting different meanings and options. Narrative work can be useful for relationship difficulties, grief or feeling stuck because it separates the person from the problem and makes change feel possible.She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings and taking steps that match what matters to you. ACT can help with anxiety, depression and ongoing stress by building small, value-led actions.
Finding the best therapeutic way forward is something she does with each person. Paula will talk through goals, try different tools and adapt her approach to fit your needs and preferences. That collaborative search helps decide whether narrative, ACT or other techniques are most helpful.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to make counselling easier to fit into busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions use less bandwidth, live chat works for shorter check-ins and messaging can suit those who prefer writing. These options make therapy more flexible and accessible for people juggling work, family or travel.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of problems does Paula help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues and addictions. Other areas include eating concerns, anger, self-esteem and career or life changes.
What is Paula's style in session?
Her approach is person-centred and non-judgemental, with empathic listening. She is often collaborative and may use creative exercises or practical techniques.
What experience does she bring?
Paula has eight years of counselling experience supporting people through often painful transitions and ongoing difficulties.
Is Paula professionally recognised and where does she practise?
She is a registered member of the BACP and works from the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What formats are available for sessions?
Paula provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different preferences.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with Paula?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Paula are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Paula where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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