Paul Collison

I work with couples who feel stuck in recurring patterns—arguing about the same issues, feeling distant, or struggling to communicate in ways that feel safe and constructive. My approach is steady, grounded, and focused on helping you understand what’s really happening between you so you can create meaningful, lasting change.

Many couples come to me feeling overwhelmed or unsure what to do next. Conversations may quickly turn into conflict, or everything might be avoided to keep the peace. In some cases, a betrayal or affair has caused deep hurt, leaving you unsure whether trust can be rebuilt. Whatever you’re facing, counselling offers a space to slow down, understand your patterns, and find healthier ways of relating.

Together, we explore the dynamics that keep you stuck—your emotional responses, the roles you fall into, and the distance or resentment that may have built up over time. I help you communicate more openly without blame, listen with more understanding, and reconnect with what matters to each of you. This work can support you in rebuilding trust, strengthening closeness, or gaining clarity about the future of your relationship.

I have experience supporting couples with:

• Repeated arguments and communication breakdowns

• Emotional distance or feeling more like housemates

• Rebuilding after an affair or breach of trust

• Differences in parenting styles, finances, or long-term vision

• Resentment, withdrawal, or feeling unheard

• The impact of stress, anger, or addiction on the relationship

• Navigating whether to stay together or separate

• Mismatched intimacy or physical needs

Feeling overwhelmed by relationships or personal struggles?

You're not alone — and you don't have to face it all by yourself.

I'm here to help you navigate complex emotions, overcome challenges, and discover new perspectives on life.

I offer a supportive, confidential space where you can explore what’s going on for you. With years of experience guiding clients toward meaningful change, I am confident in my ability to help you find clarity, resilience, and hope.

I specialise in helping couples reconnect and find their way back to each other. With over 10 years’ experience as a counsellor, I’ve worked with many different couples facing all kinds of challenges. My approach combines counselling with elements of coaching, which means I don’t just listen — I actively guide you towards creating real, lasting change in your relationship.

In our sessions, I help you uncover what’s really driving the dynamic between you, whether it’s rooted in childhood patterns, stress, or simply a lack of understanding about how each of you show and receive love. 

Before counselling, many couples describe feeling stuck — going round in circles, avoiding sensitive topics, or getting caught in the same arguments. Together, we’ll create a safe space where you can begin to talk things through with empathy, honesty, and mutual respect.

Most of all, I’m here to help you move from frustration and distance towards trust, closeness, and genuine connection again.

I can help with ...

Working through the impact of an affair (emotional or physical).

Feeling disconnected, with romance or intimacy fading.

Struggling with differences in sexual needs or ways of expressing love.

Arguing frequently without understanding why conflicts escalate.

Feeling tension around parenting or family responsibilities.

I currently have availability for both individual and couples counselling.

I offer in-person sessions in Bath on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Online sessions via Zoom are also available on request.

Please feel free to get in touch if you’d like to enquire about current availability or have any questions about session times.

I offer individual and couples counselling for people struggling with relationship difficulties, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and repeating patterns that keep them feeling stuck. I often work with people who feel disconnected in relationships, shut down during conflict, or carrying the impact of past experiences into their present lives.

You may feel like you’re walking on eggshells, avoiding difficult conversations, over-functioning for others, or losing sight of your own needs. You might also feel anxious, self-critical, or overwhelmed, unsure how to express what you need or where to turn next.

I’m a Â鶹ԭ´´-registered therapist and provide a calm, supportive, and non-judgemental space where we can slow things down and make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface. My approach is relational and trauma-informed, with a strong emphasis on safety, trust, and collaboration.

Couples often come to counselling when communication has broken down, resentments have built up, or conflict keeps repeating. In our sessions, I help guide conversations so they don’t escalate or become stuck, while ensuring both partners feel heard and respected. We explore repeating patterns and focus on practical ways to improve communication and interrupt unhelpful cycles.

I also offer individual counselling for people struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, and codependent patterns. This may include people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling drawn into emotionally draining relationships. Together, we’ll gently explore how past experiences are shaping present difficulties, working at a pace that feels safe and supportive, and helping you build greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthier ways of relating.

My practice offers a calm, supportive, and confidential space for both individuals and couples. I work at a pace that feels manageable and respectful, helping you slow things down and make sense of what’s happening emotionally and relationally.

Sessions are structured but relaxed. I’ll help guide the work so conversations don’t feel overwhelming, stuck, or uncontained, while making sure you feel heard and understood. My role is not to judge or take sides, but to support reflection, clarity, and meaningful change.

In couples counselling, we focus on improving communication, addressing resentments, and understanding the patterns that keep repeating in the relationship. This includes creating safer ways to talk about difficult subjects, softening emotional reactivity, and developing practical tools that can be taken outside the therapy room.

In individual counselling, we work together to explore emotional difficulties, anxiety, trauma, and patterns in relationships or self-esteem. Sessions provide space to understand how past experiences may be influencing present challenges, while supporting greater emotional awareness, regulation, and self-trust over time.

I offer a trauma-informed, relational approach and place strong emphasis on safety, collaboration, and choice. There is no pressure to commit to a set number of sessions; we regularly review the work together to ensure it continues to feel helpful and aligned with your needs.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know each other and to gently explore what has brought you to counselling. There’s no pressure to arrive with everything worked out  the session is a space to slow things down and start making sense of what’s been happening for you.

In individual counselling, we’ll talk about what has prompted you to seek support, any key concerns you’d like help with, and what you’re hoping to gain from therapy. We may explore aspects of your background where relevant, always at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

In couples counselling, the first session focuses on understanding what has brought you both to therapy and the dynamics you’re experiencing in your relationship. I aim to hear from each partner and create a balanced, respectful space where both perspectives are acknowledged. We’ll also discuss how we might work together moving forward.

There is no reduced rate for the first session; it is charged at the standard session fee. I don’t require you to complete a formal assessment beforehand, though I may ask some gentle questions during the session to help me understand your situation more clearly.

The first session is also a chance for you to get a sense of how I work and whether you feel comfortable working with me. There’s no obligation to commit to ongoing sessions unless it feels right for you.