Grief counselors and therapists in Saint Paul, MN

As a therapist, I take a client-centered, genuine, collaborative approach to the client’s needs and goals. I have over 19 years of experience with significant experience helping adult clients (18+) work through anxiety, mood disorders (depression/bipolar disorder), sexual addictions/offenses, trauma, grief/loss, men and women's issues, and general life stressors/transitions (work, relationships, parenting, etc).

My day job is providing social work support in a hospital, and I have spent many years helping people navigate complex health and life challenges. Before the hospital, I worked in nursing homes, which gave me extensive experience supporting older adults and their families. I understand the realities of healthcare, substance use, and caregiving, and I strive to be a warm, nonjudgmental presence for everyone I meet. I hope you feel welcomed, heard, and treated with deep compassion.

As a fully licensed therapist for 4+ years Ashley has had experience working with a wide range of clients. Recently she has begun to focus on women's health, ADHD and those with addiction issues.

I am a licensed clinical social worker, clinical supervisor, and psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience helping individuals navigate trauma, emotional distress, and life transitions.

My career has included work in schools, outpatient counseling centers, and hospital settings, where I supported individuals facing mood disorders, addiction, and psychosis. I’ve worked with clients across the lifespan—from young children to older adults—and bring a broad, real-world perspective to my practice.

As a certified trainer in trauma-informed care, I use practical, effective tools to help you better understand your emotional responses, regulate stress, and feel more grounded. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to your specific needs. I draw from a range of therapeutic techniques to help you gain insight, shift patterns, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Clients often tell me that our work together helps them feel less overwhelmed, more self-aware, and better able to cope with life’s challenges. I strive to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and comfortable being yourself.

Some of the feedback that I received from clients are:

"You give me a perspective so I don’t get stuck and I realize I don’t have to solve it all at once

"You have forever affected how I look at things in a positive way"

"You changed how I look at things. I know I can do it, so I achieve it. The re-parenting thing gives me a way to understand people and myself."

"You help people be comfortable in their own skin."

I am passionate about creating non-judgmental, safe spaces for my clients. My approach centers on building trusting alliances with those I serve, working collaboratively to help them achieve their personal goals and enhance their quality of life.

I bring specialized experience in several key areas, including Veteran and military life transitions, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, mood disorders, relationship challenges, life changes, and stress management. Whether you're navigating service-related challenges or working through personal struggles, I'm here to support you on your journey toward wellness.

I provide a space rooted in safety, deep listening, and compassion. Healing is a sacred journey—a process of growing insight, clarity, and wisdom while reclaiming wholeness and transforming pain into purpose. Together, we can explore the paths that lead to a satisfying life filled with peace, joy, and mastery.

Get to Know Me

Hi, I’m Paula! I’m an LPCC who works with young children and their families, teens, young adults, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, family dynamics, self-esteem, and major life transitions. I take a relational, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach, with a focus on understanding the why behind what we’re experiencing—not just managing the symptoms. I also have a special interest in neurodiversity and enjoy working with neurodivergent individuals and families, approaching differences with curiosity, compassion, and a strengths-based perspective. I value honesty, curiosity, and creating a space where you can be yourself without having to have everything figured out. Therapy can be hard work, but I believe we can approach it with compassion, a little humor, and a “okay, this is where we are—now what can we do with it?” kind of energy.

I am a military veteran with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, with a specialized focus over the past decade on men’s mental health, including court-ordered assessments and mandated treatment services. My clinical approach is grounded primarily in evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which I utilize to support clients in developing emotional regulation, coping skills, and sustainable behavioral change. In my current role, I conduct comprehensive mental health screenings, coordinate and oversee integrated care services, and provide direct clinical support within a substance use inpatient treatment setting. Additionally, I dedicate part of my practice to serving a rural Tribal Native American community through a mental health clinic, where I provide culturally responsive and community-informed care.

I also strongly advocate for men navigating systems where they are often disproportionately penalized or misunderstood, working to ensure their mental health needs are appropriately recognized and addressed within legal, correctional, and treatment environments. My professional focus includes supporting fair, trauma-informed approaches that balance accountability with rehabilitation. I have specialized experience working with individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders and mood disorders, providing psychoeducation to clients and their families—particularly during the early stages of diagnosis—and delivering life skills training to promote stability, independence, and long-term success in community living.