Paula Steele , LCSW

Paula Steele is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Maine with 15 years of experience in social work and mental health care. She has worked across settings that include day treatment, in-home support, and individual counseling, providing care for children, families, and adults facing a range of challenges such as mental health symptoms, domestic violence, homelessness, chronic illness, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Her clinical focus includes ADHD, autism spectrum differences, trauma, depression, anxiety, parenting concerns, addictions, relationship and family difficulties, grief, sleep problems, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes. She also attends to attachment issues, caregiver stress, communication and control problems, domestic violence, feelings of emptiness, guilt and shame, panic disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress, seasonal affective disorder, social anxiety, and women's issues.

Paula practices a strengths-based, client-centered approach that emphasizes a trusting therapeutic relationship, skill building, self-care, mindfulness, and developing natural supports. She draws on evidence-informed approaches to help clients meet their goals. As a parent of two children, including one with special needs, she brings personal insight into the pressures of parenting, balancing responsibilities, and navigating services and resources. She offers empathetic, nonjudgmental support aimed at helping people move toward meaningful change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Paula Steele integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness techniques into her online practice to address a wide range of concerns. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a respectful, empathetic relationship in which the therapist follows the client’s lead, helping people feel heard and supported as they explore goals and values.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and relationship problems. It offers practical strategies and skills for managing symptoms and improving day-to-day functioning.

Mindfulness therapy teaches present-moment awareness and grounding practices that can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and support coping with trauma, parenting challenges, and mood fluctuations. Paula uses these approaches flexibly and tailors them to each person’s needs.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Paula works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers practical benefits for people with busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or limited local options. These options increase flexibility and make it easier to maintain continuity of care with licensed professionals and therapists regardless of location.