Paul Dent, BACP

Paul Dent is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom who helps people facing midlife change, stress and anxiety, relationship difficulties and addictions. He works with issues including trauma and abuse, intimacy concerns, low self-esteem, depression and bipolar mood challenges. Paul also supports people with parenting strain, grief, sleeping and eating difficulties, ADHD and compassion fatigue. He brings 12 years of professional experience and is registered with the BACP, which is listed as his credential.

Paul keeps sessions straightforward and practical. He treats each person as the expert on their own life and focuses on strengths that can be used to move forward. Early work often involves setting clear, achievable goals and reviewing them together so people feel in control of their progress.

His approach draws on a few well-established ways of working. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is used to identify habits of thought that increase distress and to try out different responses. Client-centred methods create space for people to tell their story and feel heard. Existential ideas help when people are questioning meaning, purpose or identity in midlife.

Paul also uses tools from Motivational Interviewing to support change where motivation feels low, and the Gottman Method for relationship work where communication is a key concern. He aims to match methods to each person's needs rather than use one fixed style.

Sessions are collaborative and straightforward. Paul helps people set short-term steps and tracks progress over time. To begin, people use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what a person says so they can make sense of their experience. It suits people who want a space to talk through identity, midlife questions or relationship concerns. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thinking patterns and tries practical experiments to change behaviours and mood. CBT can be useful for anxiety, depression, sleep or eating difficulties and for managing stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, and then try methods that fit the person. Sessions often combine listening with practical tasks or short exercises to test new ways of thinking and acting, and the plan is reviewed together as progress is made.

Practical benefits of online therapy can include fitting sessions into a busy day, avoiding travel time and keeping a regular weekly check-in more easily. If you are considering online work, confirm the session options available before booking so you know what format to expect. The emphasis is on finding a working rhythm that fits everyday life and supports steady progress.