- Years in practice
- 20
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- North Carolina
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Family conflicts
About Paula
Paula Patterson is a licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina with 20 years of hands-on experience supporting people through emotional stress and life changes. She helps parents and individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship strain. Her style is straightforward and compassionate, aimed at practical steps you can use day to day.
Paula often works with concerns such as obsessive-compulsive patterns, sexual assault and abuse recovery, self-harm, seasonal mood shifts, and addiction.
Background and approach
She also supports people managing grief, ADHD, anger, intimacy issues, and career pressure. Sessions focus on clear goals and small changes that add up over time. Her approach blends several evidence-based methods.
Paula uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people live by their values, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to challenge unhelpful thoughts, and Attachment-Based ideas to improve close relationships. She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and client-centered techniques to tailor sessions to each person. Paula aims to make the work practical.
That can mean building routines to manage mood, practicing new ways to respond during conflict, or developing steps to reduce compulsive behaviors. She talks through options with each person and adapts plans as progress is made. Most clients find the pace steady and focused.
Paula emphasizes learning skills you can use between sessions and checking what’s working. Her goal is to help people regain stability and move toward their values in daily life.
What Paula works with
Everything Paula lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Paula helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Jealousy
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Personality disorders
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Sexual assault and abuse
Approaches Paula lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Paula’s approaches translate to online therapy
Paula commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in online sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on clarifying what matters to you and taking small actions that align with those values, which can help with parenting stress and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches strategies to challenge unhelpful thinking and build new habits.She also uses Attachment-Based ideas and client-centered techniques when helpful. Attachment-Based work explores patterns in close relationships and how those patterns affect current stress. Client-centered methods prioritize listening and reflecting so the person sets the pace and focus of sessions. Paula will work with each person to decide which mix of approaches fits their goals and comfort level in a collaborative way.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions let you work face to face when convenient. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text messaging allow ongoing connection between sessions and flexible check-ins during a busy day. These options aim to make therapy fit into real life and daily routines.
Questions people ask about Paula
What kinds of concerns does Paula address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting challenges, addictions, ADHD, grief, and related concerns listed in her specialties.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her style is compassionate and practical. Sessions focus on clear goals, skill building, and techniques that people can use between meetings.
How much experience does she bring?
Paula has 20 years of clinical experience as a licensed social worker in North Carolina and has worked with a broad range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds an LCSW credential and practices in North Carolina.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does she use?
Paula provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for flexible ways to work together.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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