Paula O’Connor Therapy
Counselling for individuals and couples
About me
Welcome, thank you for stopping by.
I am a registered counsellor providing holistic therapy for individual adults and couples. I have specialist training in relationship problems including conflict, communication difficulties, intimacy problems, infidelity, problematic porn use, compulsive sexual behaviour, sex addiction.
I am also a Bereavement Counsellor and can support you through your grief.
I endeavour to create a calm, non-judgemental therapeutic space where you can feel comfortable to explore any issues that are concerning you, overcome them and make lasting changes.
As an integrative counsellor I draw on different therapeutic modalities to tailor the therapy for each client, your circumstances and needs.
I am a member of several professional organisations including the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and adhere to the BACP Code of Ethics and Principles of Good Practice.
What can I help with?
Together we will focus on whatever you might be struggling with, be that wellbeing, self-esteem, self-confidence, relationship difficulties, problems with intimacy, sexuality, compulsive sexual behaviour (sex addiction) or problematic porn use, challenges at work, college, or within your family.
As a Relate trained relationship therapist I take a systemic approach to help couples who have challenges getting along, maybe you are arguing all the time, communication is difficult at times, or perhaps someone has been cheating, or had an affair.
Maybe you think you or your partner might have sex addiction or porn addiction. You might need to explore some difficult issues, and we can do that with you as a couple or individually. I know these can be very difficult problems to share, it’s not easy, but it can be a relief to talk confidentially, rather than keep things bottled up.
Maybe you are bereaved and trying to process your loss. I have specialist training in grief therapy as a Bereavement Volunteer for Cruse Bereavement Care. Grief can feel very lonely and counselling can provide emotional support if you have experienced loss through the death of a loved one.
Anxiety
Bereavement, grief, loss
Compulsive sexual behaviour, sexting, problematic porn use
Depression and low mood
Family and relationship issues
Infidelity and affairs
Intimacy issues
Intrusive thoughts
Low confidence or low self-esteem
Menopause and women’s issues
Neurodivergence (ASD, ADHD)
Intimacy in relationships
Open relationships (ENM, CNM)
Porn addiction
Relationship difficulties, conflict
Self harm
Sex, sexuality, gender, identity
Trauma
Work related issues
Neurodiversity
I work with neurodivergent adults, young people and also couples where one partner may be neurodiverse and the other neurotypical.
I see neurodivergence as part of the natural variation of human brain functioning rather than something “ to be fixed”.
I cannot diagnose neurodivergent conditions but I can help clients understand their diversity, celebrate their positive attributes and manage their traits and tendencies in a way that works for them.
As a school counsellor I have supported students with a range of challenges and problems that may or may not be due to neurodiversity and are affecting their welfare.
What is integrative counselling
Integrative counselling draws on techniques from different types of therapy to tailor an approach specifically for you. In my case this includes, Psychodynamic, Person-Centered, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Systemic and CBT modalities.
Integrative counselling maintains the idea that there are many ways to explore and understand human psychology - no one psychotherapeutic theory alone holds the answer.
Integrative counselling aims to promote healing and facilitate wholeness. An integrative counsellor guides clients to discover all levels of their being and functioning (mental, physical and emotional).
For more information visit what is integrative counselling, BACP
Memberships
Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity (ATSAC )
Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT)
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)
National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
Oxford Psychotherapy Society
Qualifications
MSc Psychosexual Therapy (in progress) COSRT Accredited
MSc Qualifying Certificate Psychology
Diploma Level 5 CSBD/SA (ISAT) - Working with Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder CPCAB Accredited
Relate Level 5 Post Qualifying Certificate in Relationship Counselling CPCAB Accredited
Diploma Level 4 in Therapeutic Counselling (Integrative) CPCAB Accredited
Transactional Analysis Certificate - TA 101 (EATA)
Bereavement Counselling (Cruse Bereavement)
Riverside - Working with Neurodiversity and Young People
Mental Health First Aid Certificate & Youth Mental Health First Aid Certificate
Institute of Directors - Introduction to Organizational Behaviour
BA (Hons) English Literature
Fees, Location, Availability
Fees
Free initial 15-minute telephone consultation so you can find out if I am the right therapist for you.
Weekly or fortnightly sessions £60 for adults
I offer some sessions at reduced rate for clients on low incomes.
The duration of counselling varies between clients, but I suggest an initial block of 6 weeks, followed by a review and a forward plan.
Location - I offer sessions online via zoom and some in person sessions in Oxford OX2 (with a waiting list).
Availability - Daytime and evening, please email for my current availability.
Please email for appointments paulaoconnortherapy@gmail.com