- CBT techniques
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About Paula
Paula Donovan is a Virginia LCSW with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, self-esteem issues, depression, addictions, and anger, among other concerns. Paula uses a practical, respectful approach and speaks English.
Paula believes the client is the expert on their life. She listens for what already works, and then helps people build on those strengths. Sessions focus on clear goals, skills people can use between meetings, and noticing the patterns that keep problems repeating.
Her background includes international life experience and earlier work outside clinical settings. That perspective often helps when someone is coping with big changes, caregiving stress, or cultural challenges. Paula also addresses issues around intimacy, career, eating and sleeping, and complex grief.
She draws on Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Those approaches provide tools for managing intense emotions, changing unhelpful thinking, and building better coping habits.
Paula emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as the core tool. She describes straightforward conversations with some room for humor, and likes to set achievable steps. People looking to work through anger, trauma, or relationship pain will find practical strategies and paced support from her.
To begin, prospective clients are asked to complete an online matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. Fees vary with location and sessions run on a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How Paula integrates approaches for online work
Client-Centered Therapy centers the person and their experience. It focuses on listening, reflecting, and following the client’s priorities to build practical next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions, and teaches tools to shift thinking and behavior that fuel anger and anxiety. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) supplies concrete skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and handling conflict without escalating.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Paula will work collaboratively to match methods to a person’s goals, needs, and comfort level. Early sessions focus on understanding what triggers anger, what already helps, and which techniques to try first so the work feels manageable.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people use remote sessions because they fit around work, caregiving, or travel. Remote work can make it easier to schedule short check-ins, practice skills between meetings, and maintain continuity when life gets busy. Paula uses her clinical approaches to help clients translate therapy tools into everyday routines and choices.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address related to anger?
She lists anger alongside stress, relationships, grief, depression, addictions, and related issues such as intimacy and caregiving stress.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a practical, client-centered style and draws on CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to teach skills and change patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of clinical experience working with adult concerns and life transitions.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Virginia LCSW and practices in Virginia.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.