Integrative Counselling in Weymouth
Support For You Across Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland
People often come to me because something doesn’t feel quite right, or because they’re carrying experiences that are hard to sit with alone. My role is to offer a calm, steady space where you can talk openly, be heard without judgement, and explore whatever feels important. I’m curious about your story and how you’ve learned to navigate the world, and I’ll gently support you to look at the parts of your life that may feel confusing, uncomfortable or ready for change.
About Paul
Integrative Counsellor Serving Weymouth & Dorset
I’m a counsellor based in Upwey, Weymouth, and I work with people from across Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland. My approach is integrative, which simply means I draw on different therapeutic ideas to suit you as an individual. At the heart of my work is a humanistic philosophy — I believe in meeting you as you are, with respect for your experiences and the way you make sense of your life. Alongside that, I use psychodynamic thinking to help us explore how your past might be shaping what’s happening for you now.
My Journey to Counselling
I came to counselling after leading a work team through the pandemic. I found that I was more engaged in supporting the wider care of my team than the nuts and bolts of running it. On returning to the UK I took the opportunity to re-train in a field which feels like a perfect alignment of me and my values.
Professional Ethics and Registration
I’m a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I work within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (2026). This guides my commitment to offering safe, ethical and effective therapy.
I trained with Iron Mill College in Poole to achieve my qualifications. During this time, I completed an extensive placement period counselling at Coastland College (Weymouth College) and with Relationships Wessex in Dorchester.
I’ve worked with clients facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, food relationship issues, family estrangement, gender and identity exploration, grief and bereavement, attachment issues and childhood trauma. I also support people who are experiencing painful or intrusive suicidal thoughts. I have worked with many clients with an ADHD and/or ASD diagnosis.
I’ve spent time working with men - or people exploring what it means to be a man - especially in a world where ideas about masculinity are shifting and some negative male role modelling messages have recently prevailed. This can include developing emotional awareness and intelligence, accessing feelings, identifying your values, understanding burnout, navigating work/life balance, exploring the roles you hold in your relationships, or looking at the personas you’ve learned to adopt. We can also work together on pressure, frustration, and anger.
As someone who has migrated to this country, I also bring lived experience to work with clients who are navigating life as immigrants. Together, we can explore themes like loss, grief, identity changes, cultural masking, isolation, and the challenge of building a new sense of belonging and community.
My counselling style tends to work best with clients aged 16 and over.
Flexible Therapy Options
Most of my sessions take place face to face in a dedicated therapy room, but I also offer online sessions and outdoor therapy if that feels more comfortable for you. I want you to feel at ease in the way we work together.
Areas of Specialism
Young People
I have worked extensively with young adults in the formative stages of their adult lives.
I have helped them navigate the life challenges which affect them and can seem unmanageable.
I have helped them establish their own identity, define themselves and take the reigns in driving their own life goals and outcomes through support, acceptance, self awareness and developing self-confidence.
Supporting Men
The Samaritans report that men are disproportionally represented in suicide statistics with men being almost three times as likely to die as a result of reported suicide than females.
Ideas about masculinity are shifting and some negative male role modelling messages have recently prevailed. Looking after yourself emotionally, identifying what it means to you to be a good man, husband, brother or friend can be hard to get clarity on.
Developing emotional awareness and intelligence, accessing feelings, identifying your values can help.
Culture and Migration
As someone who has migrated to this country, I also bring lived experience in working with clients who are navigating life as immigrants. Together, we can explore themes such as loss of cultural identity, grief at leaving your home land, social role changes, cultural masking, isolation, and the challenge of building a new life with a sense of belonging and community.
Why I Chose Hāpai
Hāpai (pronounced Hah Pie) is a Māori word.
Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand who celebrate a culture with a strong sense of community, family, individual identity and a strong affinity and respect for the environment.
In Māori, hāpai is a verb meaning to take up, support, shoulder, lift, or raise physically. For example, it can describe lifting a person or object, or supporting a group in action, such as warriors supporting a leader in battle (Te Aka Māori Dictionary).
Figuratively, hāpai extends to emotional, social, or communal support. It can describe uplifting someone during a difficult time, fostering growth, or helping a community thrive. For instance, elders may hāpai a new leader, symbolizing recognition and support, or an organization may hāpai young entrepreneurs by helping them start their businesses.
In choosing Hāpai as a name for my practice, I wanted to reflect my vision for the support I want to provide to people as well as a way to reflect my heritage. I was born and raised in New Zealand and was conscious that Māori word meaning and use is often better at conveying holistic sentiments in a single word.
I am not of Māori descent however I consider that, as a New Zealander, Māori language, customs and beliefs are part of my culture and part of the culture which I have been immersed in. This has shaped my values and I celebrate this.
In using Hāpai, I respectfully acknowledge the indigenous roots of the word and offer respect to the indigenous culture from which it originates.
Counselling Sessions and Fees
In-Person, Online, and Outdoor Therapy in Dorset
When you come to counselling with me, each session lasts 50 minutes. This gives us enough time to settle in, explore what feels important, and close the session in a grounded way. Sessions costs are reasonable, and I do offer a small number of concessionary rates for those who may need them.
What to Expect Before We Begin
Before we begin working together, I like to have a short phone conversation — usually around 20 minutes. After you first get in touch, I’ll read the information you’ve shared and then give you a call. This initial chat is simply a chance for us to get a feel for each other, talk briefly about what you’d like support with, and sense whether working together feels right. There’s no pressure and no commitment at this stage; it’s just an opportunity to connect and see how it feels.
Working Agreement
If we both decide to go ahead, I’ll send you a draft counselling contract. This isn’t as formal as it sounds — it’s there to outline how we’ll work together, what you can expect from me, and the practical details that help keep our sessions safe, clear and supportive. You’ll have time to read through it, ask questions, and make sure everything feels comfortable before we begin.
My aim is to make the whole process feel straightforward and welcoming, so you can focus on what really matters: your wellbeing and the work we’ll do together.
Contact Hāpai Counselling
Get in Touch for Therapy in Weymouth, Dorchester and Online.
Alternatively, you can call me on +44 79348 84716.
© Paul Walter Carvell | GDPR & Cookie Policies
Powered by WebHealer