Paul Lewis

As an Accredited Integrative Counsellor, I offer a blend of counselling approaches to suit your needs, and I continue to incorporate other models into my practice as well.

I see every person as the expert of their own lives with the ability to develop a strong and healthy sense of self-worth. I endeavour to offer you empathy, honesty, acceptance and respect.

Whether you work with me as an individual or as a couple, I offer you a space to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment.  By understanding your past, we can work together to make better and more informed choices about how you would like your life to be in the present.

With over 10 years of professional training and experience I have worked in various fields including alcohol and addiction issues, depression and anxiety, and sexual health and identity issues.  I understand the importance of recognising each person as a unique individual and so I work in an LGBTQ+ affirmative way, believing we are all fundamentally worthy.

Whatever your background, culture or identity, I am willing to hear you and offer therapeutic support.  Many people choose to have counselling because they are experiencing some kind of difficulty, distress or dissatisfaction in their lives and find it easier to talk to someone who is independent of family and friends.

You may want to change the way you think or behave towards an issue, or you might choose to look more deeply at past experiences, to help make sense of what you are going through. Either online or face to face, I will offer understanding and gentle challenge to help you gain clarity about where you are, where you want to get to and how to move ahead.

For Relationship Counselling, I will teach you a new way to communicate, blame-free, with a focus on positivity.  Just simply having the opportunity to be really heard and listened to by your partner can be profoundly positive for both your relationship and you as individuals. You may not always agree, and that's ok because I will help you find great value in your differences. I will help you to identify any barriers that are stopping you from reaching your relationship goals. You may even uncover some long-held beliefs from your past that are affecting your relationship in the present.  In your sessions we will calmly explore your current problems in a constructive way and consider how you would like to change your relationship for the better, with a focus on realistic, manageable goals. For those who choose to part ways I can help you both to work on an amicable resolution and satisfactory closure.

I work in an LGBTQ+ affirmative way, and as an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) I work within their ethical framework. I also engage with regular CPD and Supervision to ensure I provide you with a quality and up-to-date service.

For both One to One Counselling and Relationship Counselling, the first session is an Introductory Session which gives us an opportunity to get to know each other and for you to ask any questions. We can explore what you are seeking, including any expectations you have and together we can look at how you would like to move forward.

If we decide we would like to work together, we can then arrange a regular time to meet, either online or face to face. I offer open-ended counselling because I believe each person grows and develops at their own pace, and it is your decision when you choose to end. I would however, recommend a minimum of six sessions to become accustomed to the therapy, particularly if you have never experienced Counselling before.

I work with adults only (18+ years old). One to One Counselling sessions are 1 hour long, and Relationship Counselling sessions last 1.5 hours. I offer a limited number of sessions at a reduced rate, depending on circumstance and availability. For online counselling I use the Zoom platform.

All sessions online via Zoom.

Both flexible and regular time-slots are offered.

ONLINE RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING

Working together online, I will teach you and your partner new ways to communicate, blame-free, with a focus on positivity.

Sometimes in our relationships we can lose our way and find it difficult to communicate what is going on for us. This can happen for many different reasons such as a traumatic experience like an affair or infidelity, or perhaps a significant loss. Depending on our personal histories we might also fall into destructive patterns of aggression or silent resentment. How I can help is by providing a safe space for you and your partner to to share your thoughts and feelings in a structured and meaningful way.

​Simply having the opportunity to be really heard and listened to by your partner can be profoundly positive for both your relationship and you as individuals. You may not always agree, and that's ok because I will help you find great value in your differences. I will help you to identify any barriers that are stopping you from reaching your relationship goals.

Sharing your thoughts and feelings with your partner can allow you both to take accountability for what you are bringing (or not bringing) to your relationship. In your sessions we will calmly explore your current problems in a constructive way and consider how you would like to change your relationship for the better, with a focus on realistic, manageable goals. For those who choose to part ways I can help you both to work on an amicable resolution and satisfactory closure.

Your success in Relationship Counselling is at the core of my practice.  By integrating modern techniques and approaches, together we can find a way for you both to understand each other, and feel understood.  I will help guide you to more positive and rewarding interactions, so you have a chance to really enjoy your relationship again.

​I work in an LGBTQ+ affirmative way, and whatever your background, culture or identity, you are welcome. As an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) I work within their ethical framework. I also engage with regular CPD and Supervision to ensure I provide you with a quality and up-to-date service.

When you call or email me, I will send you my current availability.  Once we have agreed on a time to meet online I will send you a Zoom invitation.

Your first session is 1 hour, and an opportunity for us all to get to know each other. I will listen to both of you to get a fuller understanding of why you are seeking relationship counselling.

I will then work with you to demonstrate a clear and practical way of communicating. This will give you both the chance to experience a reconnection.  You will hopefully see by the end of the first session that a safe and calm environment allows you and your partner to share your thoughts and feelings more productively.

I will then ask you to take time at home, to think about the session and consider if you would like to continue working together.  Without any pressure to commit, I encourage you both to find the best therapy for you.

If we decide we would like to work together, we will agree a regular time to meet each week and for how many sessions.  All following sessions are 1.5 hours.

Online Relationship Counselling allows you to work remotely from a location of your choice. Online Relationship Counselling also reduces travel time and sessions can be more easily managed within a busy schedule.