Paul Gibbs

My approach is person鈥慶entred, which simply means that you lead the way. Your pace, your experiences, your needs. I鈥檓 here to offer a calm, supportive space where you can talk openly about whatever you鈥檙e going through without judgement鈥� whether that鈥檚 anxiety, grief, addiction, low self鈥慹steem, depression, or the impact of major life changes.

I won鈥檛 give you quick fixes or instructions. Instead, I鈥檒l sit with you, listen carefully, and help you explore what鈥檚 really going on beneath the surface. Together, we can look at patterns that might be causing you pain 鈥� things like self鈥慸oubt, worry, old coping strategies, or unresolved loss 鈥� and gently make sense of them. Through careful listening, reflection, and gentle challenge, I aim to help you understand yourself more clearly.

As we explore the patterns in how you think, feel, and respond, you may begin to make sense of your experiences and discover new ways of relating to yourself and the difficulties you鈥檙e facing. As we work together, my aim is to help you build a deeper understanding of yourself, feel supported enough to explore difficult feelings and empowered enough to make choices about anything you would like to change to move towards a life that feels more fulfilling.

I鈥檓 fully qualified, insured, hold an enhanced DBS, and bring both professional training and real鈥憀ife experience to the work we do together

I'm Paul, a counsellor based in Manchester, where I live with my partner and our two rabbit 鈥渇ur babies.鈥�

Having reached midlife, I鈥檝e experienced my share of challenges growing up in a working鈥慶lass family, losing my dad young, navigating relationship breakdowns, facing work pressures, and surviving both cancer and a quadruple heart bypass. I know what it鈥檚 like to feel helpless, scared and alone.

These experiences led me to train as a counsellor so I could offer others the understanding I needed during my own hardest moments. They shape the caring, compassionate way I work today.

Do you constantly feel like you're not good enough鈥攏o matter how hard you try?

Do you find yourself saying 鈥渋t鈥檚 my fault鈥� even when deep down, you know it isn鈥檛?

Are you tired of pretending you're okay when even the smallest daily tasks feel overwhelming? Does this sound familiar?

That's okay, having struggled with my own mental health, I totally understand where you鈥檙e coming from. The good news is it doesn鈥檛 have to be this way. I can help.

Imagine, if you could feel like a success instead of a failure, if you could believe that your voice matters, if you could feel proud of yourself, just as you are.

I will offer a warm, supportive space where you can explore your experiences, thoughts and emotions at your own pace, helping you to feel heard and understood. Together, we鈥檒l look at how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are connected, creating a better understanding of why you are feeling the way you are and what you need to change to move forwards.

Therapy isn鈥檛 about 鈥渇ixing鈥� you. It鈥檚 about helping you see that you were never broken to begin with. You deserve to feel at peace with who you are. You deserve to feel enough.

wards a better, happier life. 

Face to Face

I offer face-to-face counselling from my welcoming rooms in Prestwich, Whitefield, Radcliffe and Bolton with flexible appointment times to suit your schedule.

Choosing in-person therapy can offer a deeper sense of connection and many people find that being in the same room can make it easier to open up, build trust and engage more fully in the therapeutic process.

Online

I offer online therapy sessions for people who may not live nearby or who simply prefer the comfort and convenience of having counselling from their own home. Online sessions can make therapy more accessible and easier to fit around work, family, or other commitments.

Wherever you choose to join from, whether that鈥檚 your sofa, a quiet room, or somewhere you feel comfortable, I aim to provide the same supportive, professional space as I would in person.

Small Businesses

I work with local small businesses to provide counselling for employees who are experiencing stress, anxiety, grief, depression and major life changes, - without the long waiting lists often faced when seeking NHS support.

Unlike costly and impersonal Employee Assistance Programmes, I provide a personal and flexible service which operates on a pay-as-you-go-bas

Ready to take the first step?

I know reaching out for help can feel like a big step and it's completely normal to have questions. If you're considering counselling and want to know more, I'm happy to talk things through and answer any questions you have.

I offer a free 15 minute online consultation so we can get a sense of whether we're the right fit. If you decide I'm not, that's absolutely fine - what matters most is that you find the support that feels right for you.