Hello there and thank you for clicking on my profile. If we meet, the first thing you will notice after my well earned wrinkles, is that I have an Irish accent! I came to the USA over 40 years ago to work at the World Bank . Then I retrained as a clinical therapist so I could focus on supporting individuals and couples using all my training and life experience around the world and in the US. I deeply believe that YOU are the best expert on your life so far. So the self knowledge that you decide to share with me can allow us to work together to ease and energize your "here and now", as well as your next steps. Together we can identify and reinforce the strengths, relationships, patterns and practices that support your resilience and well being. I can draw on many different clinical approaches in our work. There is no magic. The basic ingredient is a trusting relationship -- sometimes even with some laughter! Life can be deeply unfair. Losses and disappointments bring grief, isolation and loneliness. Traumatic events and recurring stress leave our bodies and spirits intensely vigilant and exhausted. Relationships wound us, sometimes seemingly beyond repair. Illnesses -- our own, or of loved ones, sap our vitality and hope. Life can feel stuck and meaningless. And still, you are here, now, and about to explore a new opportunity! I hope you try it. All best wishes, take great care, Paula
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Aging and geriatric issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Fertility issues, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Sexual assault and abuse, Sexual dysfunction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Women's issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
VA LCSW 0904007247
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Paula Donovan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Paula had been so encouraging and helpful in helping me uncover the complex issues that led to me suppressing my sexual identity. She listens intently and offers very helpful suggestions along with worksheets to navigate the unfolding path I’m now on. She has been a true blessing. I would recommend her to any “late bloomers” to their sexual identity.
Written on Nov 07, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 2 weeks
She was a wonderful woman that I liked a lot and helped me through a difficult time in my life!
Written on Oct 23, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 1 year and 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Paula is amazing!
Written on Aug 18, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 10 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and career difficulties
Paula is very helpful and insightful. She kindly listens and redirects without judgement. Talking to her feels like a friend that you are catching up with- the conversation naturally flows. Thank you for all you do for so many!
Written on Mar 18, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and coaching
Paula is wonderful. Warm, open, witty, and attuned. I would recommend her to my closest loved ones.
Written on Jan 27, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 11 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and compassion fatigue
I needed help through this process and I was uncomfortable starting therapy but it has helped me a lot and I appreciate her patience and efforts in helping me rebuild. Highly recommend Paula. At the end of the day I chose to invest in myself for once and I’m glad I did with better help.
Written on Jan 22, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and coping with life changes