Paula Marije Clegg

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Professional Diploma in Counselling Children & Adolescents
Specialist Diploma in Relationship Counselling

Contact telephone: 07817 740347

I qualified as a therapeutic counsellor in 2012 and since then have worked with adults and young people (16 years and above) in short and long-term work. I have worked as a counsellor in local educational settings for many years, and I also have experience of counselling clients with issues arising from adoption. In 2018 I took additional training in Relationship Counselling in order to support couples and families.

My own life experience and therapeutic journey have given me a rich understanding of issues such as generational trauma, childhood loss, and damaged patterns of attachment (the parent-child bond).

I am trained as a Gestalt therapist. The word “gestalt” is originally German and refers to a way of seeing a person holistically, in the belief that all parts of ourselves (emotions, body, mind and spirit) are interconnected and meaningful.

Gestalt is a relational therapy, which means that the relationship between the client and counsellor is an essential part of the process. If a client feels accepted and understood in a safe, supportive relationship they are able to gain a greater understanding of past and present issues, and to feel empowered to make positive changes in areas where they are stuck.

In developing this therapeutic relationship I bring warmth, compassion and sensitivity to who you are in the moment.

Counselling can be many things to different people. Some people seek help for relationship difficulties, anxiety or depression, and are able to learn creative strategies for coping better. Others find the initial sessions grow into a longer and deeper enquiry. In this process they discover new aspects of themselves that had previously been hidden, and uncover a greater meaning to their lives. Bringing together all parts of the life story into a narrative that finally ‘makes sense’ can be very healing. Each of us has a unique story to tell.

Finding the right counsellor may feel daunting so I offer a free 30 minute session in which you can ask questions and get a sense of who I am and how I work. You can also describe the issues that are bringing you to counselling and what you hope to gain from it. We can then decide if counselling with me is the right option for you at this time.

I charge £40 per hourly session for individuals, and £45 for relationship and couples work. I have a limited number of low-income spaces available at a reduced fee, please contact me if you wish to discuss this.

For more information about my work, please click this link to visit my website: www.holdingthespace.uk