Paul Butlin
COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
Online counselling across the UK | Based in Manchester
Counselling for when you’re overthinking, feeling low or unsure of yourself
Welcome
Maybe you’re feeling anxious or low. Perhaps you’re stuck in your own head, worrying about what other people think or finding that old experiences still affect how you feel about yourself now.
Or you might not really know what’s wrong. You just know you don’t feel quite like yourself.
I’m Paul, a counsellor and psychotherapist based in Manchester. I offer online counselling for adults across the UK, with particular experience supporting LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent clients and people who have often felt different or misunderstood.
You don’t need to have everything worked out before coming to counselling. We can start with what’s happening now and make sense of it together.
What might be going on for you
Sometimes there is an obvious reason for starting counselling. Something has happened in a relationship, anxiety is getting in the way or you have been feeling low for longer than you expected.
Counselling gives you somewhere to talk about what is happening and begin to understand it without having to come up with the right answer first.
What we might explore together
It’s OK not to know
You might not really know what’s wrong or where to start. You may just know that something isn’t quite right. That’s enough to begin with. We can start there and see where things go.
Taking that first step
Starting counselling can feel like a big decision, particularly if you’re not sure what to expect. Even if you've had counselling before, it can be daunting to start with someone new.
My approach
Counselling with me is a conversation. My approach is person-centred, so the focus is on you and what matters to you. I’ll listen carefully, ask questions and help you make sense of what’s going on, with enough space for you to explore things in your own way.
The space is yours to explore what has happened, how you feel now, and what you need for yourself going forward.
What might change?
Over time, counselling can help you to understand yourself a little better. Things that have felt confusing or difficult to put into words can start to make more sense, and we can explore how that affects you now. That understanding can give you more choice about what happens next.
About me
My own experiences as a gay man with a disability are part of what brought me to become a counsellor. I know what it is like to feel different or not fully understood. This is part of why I care about giving people space to talk openly and feel accepted as they are.
I work as a counsellor with LGBT Foundation in Manchester alongside private practice, and previously mentored LGBTQ+ young people through The Proud Trust. Alongside counselling, I also work in education.
I trained at the University of Salford, where I completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Distinction. I am now working towards my Master’s.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP 414519).
How it works
All counselling sessions are held online using video call, so you can attend from wherever feels most comfortable and private for you.
Sessions last 50 minutes
My standard fee is £60 per session
Weekly sessions are recommended, but we can discuss what works best for you
15-minute introductory chat
If you’re unsure about booking a full counselling session, you’re welcome to arrange a free 15-minute introductory call.
It gives us a chance to meet briefly, for you to ask anything you want to know and to get a sense of what I’m like to talk to. There’s no pressure to decide anything straight away. Think of it as a vibe check.
What happens at your first session
Your first counselling session is a chance to get a feel for whether this space and this way of working suits you. You don't need to prepare anything and there is no expectation to share everything or to start with the hardest parts.
We will talk about what has brought you here, what you are hoping for, and any questions or concerns you might have about therapy itself. We can take things slowly and focus on what feels manageable.
It is very common to feel unsure or nervous at first. You do not need to get it right or have the words ready. You just need to come as you are.
My sessions with Paul helped me put things into perspective, better understand some of my anxiety and thought patterns, and start practicing more compassion for myself.
Contact
Get in touch via the form to book a free 15-minute introductory chat, arrange your first counselling session or ask a question.
Some of your questions may already have been answered. Take a look at the FAQs to find out more about me and my practice.