Paula Donovan, LCSW

Paula Donovan is an LCSW who brings 20 years of clinical experience to her practice. She blends practical skills with a warm, down-to-earth manner and a noticeable Irish accent that many people comment on. Paula focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, grief, depression, addictions, and related life challenges.

Paula believes people are the experts on their own lives. She listens for what already works and gently points out patterns that get in the way. Together she helps clients identify strengths, strengthen relationships, and build everyday practices that reduce overwhelm and increase energy.

Her work uses a mix of approaches chosen to fit each person. Sessions often include practical strategies for coping, skills to manage emotions, and questions that help reframe painful stories. Paula also pays attention to how life events and losses affect the body and spirit.

Paula draws on two decades of experience in diverse settings, including international work earlier in her life. That background informs a flexible, multicultural awareness in session. She aims to create a space where people can speak honestly, take small steps, and find more ease in their daily lives.

People who come to Paula typically want clear tools and straightforward conversation. She emphasizes a trusting relationship, plain talk, and occasional lightness alongside serious work. If you are thinking about change, she can help you get started.

Approaches that translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and following what matters most to the person. In online sessions this looks like space to speak, get feedback, and shape goals that feel realistic. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on practical steps and skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be practiced between sessions and tracked over time. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication, which can be helpful for strong mood swings and intense reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about needs, goals, and preferences, and together they will pick methods that fit. That collaborative process helps keep sessions useful and focused on real-life changes.

Session logistics should be checked before booking because formats are not specified in the profile. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when a quick conversation is what is needed. It also supports consistent practice of skills between meetings so progress can carry into everyday life.