Ms Barbara Paczkowska

Psychotherapist (Registered)

“I am Barbara Paczkowska, an experienced Psychologist, Psychotherapist, and the Founder and Clinical Director of Select Healthy Mind in Windsor and Eton. I hold a Master’s degree in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. As a fully accredited CBT Therapist, a Consultant EMDR Europe Psychotherapist and Supervisor, and an IFS Level 1 Therapist, I am dedicated to providing highly specialised, evidence-based care. Having built my foundational expertise as a high-intensity CBT Therapist within the NHS, I transitioned to private practice to offer a more bespoke and flexible therapeutic experience. I specialize in working with adults facing depression, mood disturbances, anxiety disorders, and OCD. I also have extensive expertise in treating complex trauma and PTSD, particularly addressing childhood issues that continue to impact adult life. My therapeutic philosophy centers on treating you as a unique individual, rather than simply addressing a label or a set of symptoms . I recognize that no single type of therapy fits everyone, which is why I integrate multiple therapeutic models to deliver treatment customised to your specific needs. My goal is to create a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment where you feel genuinely seen and understood, building a foundation of trust and collaborative partnership to support your healing journey. Professional Credentials: Accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Consultant EMDR Supervisor (EMDR UK & Ireland / EMDR Europe / EMDRIA) Level 1 Therapist, IFS Institute Honorary Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)”

About Me

When I founded my private clinic Select Healthy Mind back in 2013, my vision was simple but profound: to create a warm, welcoming space where people are seen as human beings first, rather than just a set of symptoms. My journey into psychotherapy was driven by a deep-seated passion for helping people navigate their darkest chapters . I believe that the most powerful element in any healing process is human connection. Because of this, my primary focus is always on building a genuine, trusting partnership with you . I know that reaching out for help can be daunting, so my priority is ensuring you feel comfortable the moment we meet, knowing you will be met with empathy, warmth, and absolute confidentiality. My promise is to provide a compassionate environment where you can speak openly without fear of judgement. We will work at a pace that feels right for you, untangling the knots of your experiences together. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than making a real, positive difference in my clients' lives, empowering you to rediscover your strength and step forward into a more fulfilling future .

Approach

My approach to therapy is active, structured, yet a highly flexible process. During our initial assessment, we will carefully examine the issues bringing you to therapy, determine your readiness for specific interventions, and collaboratively design a clear treatment plan. We will establish the frequency of our meetings—typically once a week or fortnightly—and regularly review the pace of our work to ensure it remains comfortable and effective for you. In session, my method involves breaking down overwhelming, major issues into smaller, manageable parts. We might analyse specific situations, emotions, thoughts, and behaviours to understand whether they are helpful or if they represent irrational patterns holding you back. From there, we move to actionable change. We will work to replace deeply ingrained, unhelpful core beliefs with new, balanced ways of thinking that serve your well-being. Depending on your treatment plan, our sessions may involve direct psycho-education to help you understand your symptoms, the introduction of coping strategies, or graduated exposure to feared situations. When working with traumatic memories, I guide clients through specific processing techniques—using EMDR therapy—which helps the brain process and neutralize the distress attached to painful images or events.

Contact Barbara

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Windsor, United Kingdom

In-person & Online

Services

At Select Healthy Mind, I provide a range of highly specialised, evidence-based psychotherapies tailored to treat specific psychological conditions. My primary focus is on resolving complex mental health challenges by utilising targeted therapeutic frameworks that have been clinically proven to foster deep and lasting healing. Specialised Modalities Offered: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): As a fully accredited BABCP practitioner, I am able to use CBT as a foundational tool to help clients identify, evaluate, and restructure the unhelpful thought patterns and core beliefs that drive emotional distress. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): As an EMDR Europe Consultant and Supervisor, I offer highly specialised trauma processing. EMDR is utilised to neutralise the intense emotional charge attached to traumatic memories without the need for extensive verbal processing. Internal Family Systems (IFS): As a Level 1 IFS therapist, I guide clients in exploring and healing their internal "parts," particularly focusing on protective mechanisms and exiled emotions, which is highly effective for trauma and deep-seated emotional conflicts. Clinical Focus Areas: Trauma & PTSD: My foremost clinical specialty is the treatment of trauma. I provide targeted interventions for single-incident trauma (PTSD), Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) resulting from chronic exposure to traumatic events, and developmental or relational trauma stemming from childhood adversity and attachment wounds. Anxiety Disorders & Phobias: Specialised treatment programs for Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, Health Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and specific phobias. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Structured interventions focusing on breaking the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours through specialised CBT protocols and exposure work. Mood Disorders: Comprehensive treatment for Major Depressive Disorder, persistent low mood, and emotional dysregulation. Behavioural & Interpersonal Challenges: Targeted therapy for self-harm behaviours, low self-esteem, grief and bereavement, life transitions, and severe relationship or communication difficulties. Through these modalities, I work with adult clients to systematically alleviate distress, process unresolved history, and equip them with the psychological resilience necessary for the future.

Services Offered:

EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, a therapy that uses guided eye movements to help the brain process and integrate traumatic memories.
Learn more about EMDR
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
Learn more about CBT

Works With:

Adults
Elderly

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

Abuse
Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.
Anger
An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.
Learn more about Anger
Mood Disorder
A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.
Learn more about Mood Disorder
Eating Disorders
A group of conditions, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, involving disturbed eating behaviours and a distorted relationship with food and body image.
Learn more about Eating Disorders
OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, a condition involving unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or rituals (compulsions) performed to relieve anxiety.
Learn more about OCD
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition that develops after a traumatic event, causing flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.
Learn more about PTSD
Self-Esteem
A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.
Learn more about Self-Esteem
Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
Trauma
The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.
Learn more about Trauma
Depression
A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.
Learn more about Depression