Paula Kettula

You know something needs to change. Maybe your mind won't stop, your body is always tense, or you're exhausted from getting through the day. Maybe you and your partner keep having the same argument. Or you lose patience with your child, then lie awake afterward feeling guilty.

You understand what's happening. But when the moment comes, the same pattern takes over. You might be wondering why change feels so hard when you want it this much.

To create change, we often need to understand the deeper layers of the problem. These patterns can operate outside our awareness and become deeply rooted in how we think, feel, and respond in our bodies.

Think of it this way: if your car is broken and you're not a mechanic, you probably need one. Otherwise, you could spend a lot of time trying to figure things out yourself and maybe even make a few things worse along the way. I know I would!

You need to have someone with expertise to recognize what's happening beneath the surface and guide you toward the life you want to live.

I help you understand these deeper layers and work with them — through your body, your relationships and the different parts of you that pull in opposite directions. Being able to rest. Feeling closer to your partner. Being more present with your child.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, originally from Finland, supporting people with their mental health since 2000. I also offer sessions in Finnish. I'm the founder and owner of Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services, established in 2009. My vision is to help people create lives with greater joy, connection, empowerment, and love. Our team supports adults, couples, children, and families through holistic, trauma- and resilience-informed, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care.

My availability is limited, but I keep a cancellation list and a waitlist, and a therapist on my team may be a great match for you. You're welcome to book a consultation to explore your options.

I work with you as a whole person: mind, body, heart and soul. I believe that in the very pain we usually try to avoid is a kernel of healing, and my job is to help you find it.

Somatic psychology and embodied practices are central to my approach. Through grounding, breath awareness and mindful movement, you practice ways to settle when you're wound up and gently reconnect when you feel numb or shut down.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps us understand the different parts of you that can pull in opposite directions. One part may want closeness while another pulls away to protect you from being hurt. We approach these parts with curiosity and compassion.

As a mindfulness meditation teacher and certified yoga teacher, I draw on nervous system-informed, trauma-sensitive yoga to help you build self-awareness, self-compassion and the ability to stay with difficult feelings.

Attachment-focused therapy and CBT help us question familiar conclusions such as "I'm not enough" or "I have to handle everything myself."

For couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Most couples come in caught in a cycle — one pursues, one withdraws, and both end up feeling alone. Together we slow that cycle down so you can hear what's underneath it: the longing to feel chosen, safe and understood by each other.

With children, I use play therapy and sandplay, informed by my AMI Montessori diploma from Perugia, Italy. With teens, I lean on honest conversation and respect for their independence. For parents, my Transformational Parenting Program helps you become more of the calm, connected and loving parent you want to be.

If dreams or spirituality matter to you, there's room for them here too.

Yoga became part of my own healing after a serious car accident. Beyond therapy, I created Living Sati Yoga, The Stress Response Reset and Anchored Heart & Mind, and hosted the Becoming a Peaceful Parent and Beyond Screen Time summits.

We begin with a free, 15-minute video consultation to see whether we're a good fit for each other. You deserve to feel comfortable with the person you choose and confident that they have the expertise to help you.

In our short time together, I'll ask what's bringing you to therapy now, what's been difficult and what you've already tried. You don't need to have everything figured out or know where to begin. I'll guide our conversation so we can make good use of our time.

Then we'll look at what you want to be different. If therapy helps in the ways you're hoping for, what would your life look like? What might you finally feel able to do?

Based on what you share, I'll explain how I would approach your concerns and what we might focus on together. You'll have room to ask questions and tell me what resonates—or what doesn't. I'll also be honest about whether I have the expertise and availability to meet your needs. If my schedule is full, you're welcome to join my cancellation list or waitlist. If you'd rather start sooner, or working with me isn't the right fit, we can explore a colleague on my Porta Verum team or other referrals.

You'll leave with a clearer understanding of what working together could look like. If you're ready, we can arrange your first therapy appointment. If you need time to think, that's welcome too. Our client care team can help with scheduling, insurance and payment questions.

For younger children, the first therapy appointment is with parents or caregivers, so you can speak openly about your concerns and your child's history. For teenagers, I make space to hear directly from them about what they're experiencing and what would help them feel comfortable.

When therapy begins, we'll take more time to understand your story, your strengths and the patterns you want to change. Together, we'll choose a starting point that connects to what matters most to you — and begin, at a pace that feels right.