Paula Elkin

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working in a variety of settings, including military environments, inpatient trauma and substance use treatment, and community-based care. I’ve worked extensively with individuals navigating high stress, life transitions, and complex emotional experiences, including trauma, anxiety, and relationship challenges.

My background includes supporting active-duty service members and their families, as well as individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, and difficulties with motivation or feeling “stuck.” I also have experience in crisis intervention and helping clients work through intense or overwhelming situations in a structured and supportive way.

I tend to work well with clients who are high-functioning on the outside but struggling internally, as well as those who feel overwhelmed, avoidant, or unsure where to start. My goal is to provide a space that is both supportive and practical, where we can work toward meaningful and realistic change.

My approach to therapy is structured, collaborative, and focused on helping you make real progress—not just talk about things endlessly. I use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and I incorporate trauma-informed strategies such as EMDR when appropriate.

I believe therapy should be both supportive and productive. That means we’ll spend time understanding what’s going on, but also actively working toward change—whether that’s improving coping skills, addressing patterns that aren’t working, or helping you move toward the life you want.

I adjust my approach based on your needs. Some clients want more structure and direction, while others need space to process. Most people benefit from a combination of both, and we’ll figure out what works best for you.

In the first session, we’ll focus on getting a clear understanding of what’s bringing you in and what you want to be different. I’ll ask questions to better understand your background, current challenges, and goals, but there’s no pressure to share everything all at once.

We’ll also start identifying patterns or areas we can begin working on right away, so you leave the session with some direction—not just a conversation.

My goal for the first session is for you to feel heard, understood, and to have a sense of what working together will look like moving forward.