About Paul Burrows

From Madison Avenue to Making a Difference

My path to counselling was anything but conventional. I spent years as a Creative Director working for some of the world's leading advertising agencies — Ogilvy, McCann Erickson, Saatchi & Saatchi — becoming highly skilled at persuading people to buy things they didn't want or need. Over time, I grew deeply disillusioned with that world and felt a strong pull to do something that genuinely mattered.

That pull led me to the Samaritans, where I volunteered for nine years. It quickly became clear just how great the need was for real, meaningful support. I trained further and qualified as a psychotherapist, establishing my own practice.

Then life changed everything.

After being hit by a car, I suffered severe trauma that required two years of rehabilitation. During that time I developed an opiate dependency. After months in rehab, I made the decision to focus my work entirely on trauma and substance addiction — not just as a professional, but as someone who truly understands the experience from the inside.

I completed a Master's degree in Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselling and have since worked with Surrey County Council, the NHS, CGL, Wiltshire County Council, Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC), as an addiction specialist.

My Approach

I believe that addiction is rarely just about substances — it is almost always rooted in pain, trauma, and unmet needs. My work focuses on understanding those roots, not just the behaviour. I bring both professional expertise and genuine lived experience to every session, which means I don't just understand addiction theoretically — I understand it personally.

My goal is simple: to help you feel heard, understood, and equipped to reclaim your life.

Qualifications

• MSc Psychology — Addiction and Counselling
• BA (Hons) Communications
• Diploma in Advanced Psychotherapy
• Diploma in Advanced Hypnotherapy

Therapeutic Approaches

I am trained and qualified in a range of evidence-based therapies, including:

• Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Domestic Abuse Counselling

...alongside a number of additional therapeutic tools and techniques, which I draw on depending on what is most appropriate for each individual client.

Experience

I have worked as an addiction specialist with a number of leading organisations, including:

• Surrey County Council
• NHS
• CGL (Change Grow Live)
• Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC)
• Wiltshire County Council

A Note on Confidentiality

Everything discussed in our sessions remains completely confidential. My practice provides a safe, non-judgemental space where you can speak openly and honestly — whatever your situation.

Ready to take the first step? Get in Touch