About Paula
Paula Sponaugle is a licensed clinician in Maryland with 35 years of professional experience. She holds an MD and is a LCSW-C, and she focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and parenting or family concerns. Her approach aims to be respectful and compassionate while keeping things straightforward.
Paula blends practical, goal-focused methods with cognitive behavioral techniques. She uses short-term problem solving to help people find immediate relief, alongside steps that change unhelpful thoughts and patterns.
Background and approach
Sessions are relaxed and adapt to each person’s pace. Her style is flexible and informal. She encourages clear discussion about what’s most pressing and works with clients to set small, achievable goals.
That makes progress feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Paula also brings experience addressing addiction-related coping and the stresses that come with parenting and family roles. She helps people build new habits, set boundaries, and reduce daily strain through concrete strategies.
Appointments focus on practical tools and real-life adjustments. People can expect a mix of short-term solutions and longer-term skills practice. Paula aims to make therapy a useful part of daily life for anyone struggling with anxiety or related concerns.
Practical therapeutic approaches for online care
Paula commonly uses solution-focused techniques that zero in on current problems and practical next steps. This approach helps people identify a few immediate changes to try and track small wins, which can reduce stress quickly.She also uses cognitive behavioral strategies to notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. That work can help with persistent anxiety and mood concerns by teaching skills to challenge negative thinking and build healthier routines.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process. The therapist will work together with each person to decide which techniques fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative choice helps tailor sessions to what actually helps in day-to-day life.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversations and visual cues, while phone calls can fit into a short break or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging make quick check-ins and brief coaching easier between longer sessions. These options provide flexibility to match therapy to a person's schedule and comfort.
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Parenting issues
Also listed
- Experience
- 35 years
- Licensed
- Maryland
- Languages
- English
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