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PP Portrait of Paula Patterson

Paula Patterson

Compassionate, practical care for complex emotional concerns

LCSW North Carolina

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Paula

About Paula

Paula Patterson is a licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina with 20 years of experience helping people manage intense emotions and life transitions.

Background and approach

She works with clients facing depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, and a broad range of concerns including addictions, bipolar symptoms, grief, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Paula also addresses issues such as jealousy, obsessive-compulsive patterns, personality disorder dynamics, seasonal affective shifts, self-harm, and recovery after sexual assault.

Her style blends empathic listening with practical strategies drawn from evidence-informed methods. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside acceptance-oriented tools and attachment-focused work to help clients notice unhelpful patterns, build new coping skills, and strengthen relational awareness.

Paula emphasizes a collaborative, client-centered process that adapts to each person’s goals and pace. Paula aims to create an accepting, nonjudgmental space where people can explore painful experiences and develop healthier ways of responding.

She supports clients in clarifying priorities, managing symptoms, and taking concrete steps toward steadier emotional functioning and improved relationships.

Integrating proven approaches into online care



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured approach that helps clients identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and it is useful for anxiety, depression, OCD patterns, and many everyday stressors. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy emphasizes values-driven action and learning to make space for difficult emotions while building meaningful life directions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early and current relationships shape emotional responses and can help improve intimacy, trust, and interpersonal patterns.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Paula works with each person to explore goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, combining techniques as needed so therapy aligns with the client's needs and pace rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible and accessible. These formats allow people to fit sessions into busy schedules, continue care during life transitions, and engage in ongoing skill practice between meetings while working with a licensed professional who adapts methods to the virtual setting.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Paula commonly help with?
She works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, addictions, grief, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related areas such as jealousy, OCD patterns, self-harm, and sexual assault recovery.
What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?
Her approach is empathic and collaborative, combining client-centered care with methods like CBT, ACT, attachment-based work, and DBT skills to address thoughts, feelings, and relational patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Paula brings 20 years of clinical experience supporting people through complex emotional and relational challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She holds the LCSW credential and is licensed in North Carolina under NC LCSW C009264.
Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are conducted in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available for working together?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging according to availability and preference.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a time based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

JealousyObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPersonality disordersSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSexual assault and abuse

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English