- 20 years experience
- Virginia based
- Client-centered care
About Paula
Paula Donovan is an LCSW who brings 20 years of clinical experience to her work. She speaks English and practices in Virginia. Paula emphasizes a respectful, down-to-earth approach and treats each person as the expert on their own life.
Paula draws on a mix of clinical approaches to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles. She listens for strengths and patterns and helps clients use small, practical changes to feel less stuck. Her work covers grief, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and men's issues among other concerns.
Clients often explore what has been lost and what still matters to them. Paula helps people rebuild routines, handle caregiving strain, and manage mood changes. She also supports those facing separation, infidelity, guilt and shame, or the emotional effects of aging and serious illness.
Sessions focus on what is useful now. Paula uses Client-Centered techniques to follow a client's lead, Cognitive Behavioral ideas to notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and Mindfulness strategies to ease intense feelings. Motivational Interviewing can help when people want to make lasting changes but feel unsure how to begin.
Her style is warm and practical. Paula aims to create a trusting working relationship that allows some honest conversation and even occasional laughter. To start, she asks people to describe their current struggles so together they can set clear, manageable goals.
How Paula’s Approaches Work Online and in Practice
Paula commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the client’s lead so they feel heard and understood; this approach helps when someone needs space to make sense of recent losses or life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and helps people try small changes to reduce anxiety, lift mood, or alter unhelpful patterns.Choosing the right approach is a shared process. Paula discusses goals, preferences, and how symptoms show up, and then offers options that might fit. She adjusts methods as work progresses so the plan responds to what actually helps the person feel better day to day.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not specified here. Ask about the available session options when you schedule. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example, sessions can reduce travel time, allow a shorter check-in when days are tight, or remove the need to be on camera if that helps someone focus. Talking through goals and small practical steps can be just as effective when done remotely, and Paula aims to help clients apply what they practice in sessions to everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Paula commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, addictions, trauma and a wide range of life challenges including men's issues and caregiver stress.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is warm and practical, following a client-centered stance while using tools from CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing as needed.
What background and experience does she bring?
Paula has 20 years of clinical experience and a life history that includes international work before retraining as a therapist.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds the LCSW credential and practices in Virginia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.