Paula Donovan, LCSW

Paula Donovan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience helping adults manage stress, anxiety, relationship strains, grief, and anger. She trained after an earlier career and brings long experience living and working in different countries to her practice. Paula works in Virginia and holds a practical, down-to-earth approach to therapy.

She starts from the view that each person knows their life best. Paula listens for what already works and what gets in the way. Sessions focus on identifying everyday patterns, strengths, and small changes that can reduce tension and frustration. She uses plain language and an unhurried style rather than clinical jargon.

Paula draws on Client-Centered Therapy to build a trusting working relationship. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thinking and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotion regulation. Mindfulness practices and Motivational Interviewing are woven in when useful to support behavior change and coping.

Paula helps people facing difficult life events such as loss, illness, or divorce. She also supports those dealing with addictions, parenting stress, career transitions, and the ongoing wear of caregiving. Anger, resentment, and frequent snapping at loved ones are named concerns she addresses with concrete strategies.

Her style is straightforward and often gently humorous. Paula emphasizes practical steps you can try between sessions. She invites people who are tired of feeling stuck to explore clearer ways to manage feelings and reconnect with what matters to them.

How Paula’s approaches translate to online sessions