Paula Whidden

I'm a California-licensed therapist (LMFT and LPCC) with over two years of clinical experience and a background in theology — which means I've spent a long time thinking about what it means to struggle, heal, and stay human through hard things. I work with teens, adults, and couples navigating anxiety, trauma, PTSD, relationship stress, grief, and the kind of weight that doesn't have an easy name. I take Aetna, Anthem, and Cigna — so if cost has been a barrier, it may not be here. I see clients virtually across California, Tuesday through Friday, and I offer a free 15-minute consultation before we get started so you can get a real sense of whether I'm the right fit.

I don't have one script. I pull from EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), TraumaFocused CBT, DBT, and the Gottman Method for couples — not because I think every approach is equally useful all the time, but because different people need different things, and I'd rather be adaptable than rigid. For trauma work specifically, I lead with EMDR and IFS because they tend to get beneath the surface faster than traditional talk therapy alone. For couples, I use the Gottman framework because it's practical and evidence-backed — less about "how does that make you feel" and more about building something that actually works. And if your faith or spiritual life is something you want to bring into the room, I have the background and the genuine interest to meet you there.

Expect a real conversation, not a symptom checklist. I'll ask you what's going on, what you've already tried, and what you're hoping therapy actually does for you — because "feeling better" means something different to everyone. I'm not going to push you to talk about things you're not ready to discuss, but I will ask good questions. By the end of our first session, you'll have a clearer sense of what we'd work on together and what that process looks like. Most clients leave feeling less alone in what they're carrying — which, honestly, is a pretty good start.