About Paula
Paula Garrard is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and big life changes. She brings two decades of experience and focuses on practical support that fits each person’s needs. Paula aims to make sessions calm and straightforward.
She listens first, then helps clients name what’s most pressing. Together they build short-term strategies and longer-term plans that feel doable during daily life. Her work often includes coping skills for overwhelming moments and ways to manage persistent worry.
Background and approach
She breaks down problems into clear steps and practices small changes in session that can be used between meetings. Paula creates an affirming environment for LGBT people and respects each person’s identity and story. She keeps the tone warm and nonjudgmental while focusing on what will help someone move forward.
Her background in social work supports a practical, person-centered style. Paula emphasizes collaboration, teaching skills, and tracking progress so people can see what’s changing. She encourages steady, realistic goals and adjusts the plan as needs evolve.
Evidence-based approaches and online care that fit your life
Paula uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One common approach teaches skills for managing anxiety and stress, such as breathing, grounding, and short behavioral experiments to test worries. These tools are aimed at reducing overwhelm and improving daily functioning.Another approach centers on mood and adjustment work for depression and grief. This involves breaking problems into small steps, identifying activity patterns that affect mood, and developing routines that bring more balance and engagement each week.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Paula collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. She checks in regularly and adapts plans as progress or new concerns emerge.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation for skill practice and check-ins. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit into a busy day. Live chat or text messaging works well for brief check-ins, written reflections, or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options help people keep therapy consistent around work, family, and daily life.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
Also listed
- Experience
- 20 years
- Licensed
- North Carolina
- Languages
- English
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