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ABOUT

Hi, I'm Paula. 

I am a psychotherapist in private practice, (a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker). 

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​For over a decade, I have helped clients who suffer from depression and anxiety, relationship strife, self doubt and the despair that results from living in a society that worships perfection, productivity, rigidity and restriction.

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My passion is working with those who suffer from years of dieting, disordered eating, food obsession, internalized weight stigma and body hatred.

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ABOUT ME

ABOUT ME

I am licensed to practice clinical social work in California, Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

I am a playful, creative, permission-based, relational therapist.

I draw from liberation, somatic, and expressive arts, as well as transpersonal, queer and eco-psychologies. I work mainly with young people, adults, members of the LGTBQIA+ community, couples, and anyone hoping to gain freedom and expansion in their internal experience.

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I treat clients suffering from body and food issues with Body Justice-focused, weight neutral, anti-diet approaches. 

I am a member of The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals, the National Association of Social Workers and the California Society for Clinical Social Work.

For a decade I was a professor of Weight & Society at George Washington University. It was a body justice course that explored the myths of current measures of health, our culture's thin idealism, and society's relentless oppression of large bodies.

EDUCATION
  • San Francisco State University, Bachelors in Psychology

  • Hunter College School of Social Work, Masters in Social Work 

  • Registered Yoga Teacher, 2003

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, 2011

LICENSES

  • LCSW, California

  • LICSW, Washington DC

  • LCSW, Virginia 

  • LMSW, Maryland 

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EXPERIENCE

After teaching yoga full time in DC for over a decade, I completed a Master's Degree in Social Work in New York City.

I then moved back to Washington DC where I worked as an addictions counselor in an Outpatient Substance Abuse clinic, continuing to teach group and private yoga sessions all over the DC area, and providing workshops on Yoga & Healing Body Hate. I received my license to practice privately in 2013. 

Since then, I've completed extensive trainings in such modalities as Internal Family Systems and Psychic Healing.

SPECIALTIES

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  • Food, Eating, & Body Hatred 

  • LGBTQIA+

  • Depression & Anxiety

  • Relationship Issues

  • Spiritual/Energy healing

  • Trauma

Links for more about me & how I work:

 

CONTACT

CONTACT ME

I moved home to California!

Until I find a new office here,

I am currently providing only virtual sessions.

PHONE

202.215.8356

E-MAIL

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