Dr Paul Castell – Iffley Counselling Practice

I am an experienced counsellor/psychotherapist and supervisor. I offer genuine, respectful, non-judgmental listening to people who would like to explore their life – past, present and future – in confidential conversation with me. Such conversations often lead to new insights, which can help clients to make positive changes.

Following my qualification (Post-graduate Diploma in Counselling) at the University of East Anglia in 2003, I worked in the field of addictions counselling for several years. Since 2006, I’ve worked as a counsellor in general practice in the NHS and so have experience of working with a broad range of people and a broad range of problems.

I have a background in philosophy, holding a doctorate from the University of Cambridge, and having worked as an academic at the University of St Andrews and the University of Oxford. I have also spent some years working in the IT industry.

I have been an accredited counsellor/psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) since 2005. I also hold a Post-graduate Certificate in Supervision.

My core training is in the person-centred approach to counselling, sometimes also called Rogerian psychotherapy because it is based on the work of the American psychologist Carl Rogers. I have trained with some of the most innovative writers and teachers in this approach: Brian Thorne, Campbell Purton and Mike Worrall.

My approach to helping is person-centred, rather than problem-centred. I don’t give advice or tell people what to do, but will sometimes offer suggestions or personal opinions if they are sought. My focus is on helping clients to find their own way forward in life, rather than recommending a ready-made route. However, if the client thinks it would be helpful, I will also share my knowledge of certain topics like assertiveness, cognitive/behavioural techniques or mindfulness.