Paul Butlin
COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
Online counselling across the UK | Based in Manchester
Counselling for when you're feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed or unsure of yourself
Welcome
I'm Paul (he/him), I offer online counselling and psychotherapy for adults across the UK. Based in Manchester, I work with people who may be feeling anxious, low or unsure of themselves, with particular experience supporting LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent clients and those who have often felt different or misunderstood.
You might feel stuck, uncertain in your relationships, or as though life isn’t going quite the way you hoped. You don’t need to have worked out exactly why. Together, we can make sense of what’s going on and explore what might help.
What might be going on for you
You may be new to therapy or you may have experienced therapy before. We can work with any starting point. Honestly, even getting to the point where you're looking for a counsellor is a brilliant first step.
You may be worrying a lot, overthinking things or finding it difficult to switch off. You might be hard on yourself or spend a lot of time worrying about how other people see you.
Or perhaps you've been feeling flat, tired or disconnected from things you would normally enjoy. You may be withdrawing from things, or keeping yourself constantly busy because slowing down feels difficult.
Anxiety, low mood and feeling overwhelmed
LGBTQ+ or unsure
You might want to talk about your identity, relationships, family or experiences of prejudice, or you may be LGBTQ+ and want to talk about something completely unrelated. You may be questioning your sexuality or gender.
You don’t have to explain or defend who you are in therapy.
Neurodiversity and feeling different
You may have spent years trying to fit in, feeling overwhelmed or misunderstood. Perhaps you feel other people see things differently to you, and that feels isolating.
You may have spent years masking and are exhausted from living in a world built for neurotypical people. We can explore it all. You don't need to have a formal diagnosis for us to talk about it.
Relationships
You might be having a difficult time with a partner, family member or someone else close to you. Maybe you don’t feel seen or appreciated, or you’re giving a lot to other people and not getting much space for yourself.
Your sexuality, gender or neurodiversity may also be part of what’s going on, especially if you feel misunderstood by the people closest to you.
It’s OK not to know
You might not really know what’s wrong or where to start. You may just know that you don’t feel quite like yourself, or 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
My approach is person-centred, which means I’ll listen closely, ask questions, reflect on what I’m hearing and, when it feels helpful, gently challenge something we might keep coming back to. Some people need more space, while others find a more active approach helpful, and we can work out what feels right for you as we go.
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 and in the future.
Experience
Qualifications
Registration
Counsellor, LGBT Foundation, Manchester, 2023-present
Youth Mentor, The Proud Trust, Manchester, 2022-2024
Postgraduate Diploma, Counselling and Psychotherapy (Professional Practice), Distinction, 2025
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Registered Member 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.
This is a chance to briefly meet, ask any questions you might have, and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There’s no pressure to decide anything straight away. Think of it as a vibe check.
Booking your first session
If you’d like to book a first session, you can get in touch with me using the form below.
Once I hear from you, I’ll reply to arrange next steps and answer any practical questions you may have.
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. 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.