Paula had been so encouraging and helpful in helping me uncover the complex issues that led to me suppressing my sexual identity. She listens intently and offers very helpful suggestions along with worksheets to navigate the unfolding path I’m now on. She has been a true blessing. I would recommend her to any “late bloomers” to their sexual identity.
Paula Donovan, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Paula is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Paula. View 15 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Virginia
Recent reviews
She was a wonderful woman that I liked a lot and helped me through a difficult time in my life!
More about Paula
- 20 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
Hello there and thank you for clicking on my profile. If we meet, the first thing you will notice after my well earned wrinkles, is that I have an Irish accent! I came to the USA over 40 years ago to work at the World Bank . Then I retrained as a clinical therapist so I could focus on supporting individuals and couples using all my training and life experience around the world and in the US. I deeply believe that YOU are the best expert on your life so far. So the self knowledge that you decide to share with me can allow us to work together to ease and energize your "here and now", as well as your next steps. Together we can identify and reinforce the strengths, relationships, patterns and practices that support your resilience and well being. I can draw on many different clinical approaches in our work. There is no magic. The basic ingredient is a trusting relationship -- sometimes even with some laughter! Life can be deeply unfair. Losses and disappointments bring grief, isolation and loneliness. Traumatic events and recurring stress leave our bodies and spirits intensely vigilant and exhausted. Relationships wound us, sometimes seemingly beyond repair. Illnesses -- our own, or of loved ones, sap our vitality and hope. Life can feel stuck and meaningless. And still, you are here, now, and about to explore a new opportunity! I hope you try it. All best wishes, take great care, Paula
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Grief
Self esteem
Depression
Addictions
LGBT
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
Aging and geriatric issues
Caregiver issues and stress
Co-morbidity
Codependency
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Fertility issues
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Men's issues
Midlife crisis
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Sexual assault and abuse
Sexual dysfunction
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Somatization
Women's issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Paula Donovan's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1619204419.
- LCSW · Virginia · 0904007247 · Expires June 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Paula Donovan
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Paula had been so encouraging and helpful in helping me uncover the complex issues that led to me suppressing my sexual identity. She listens intently and offers very helpful suggestions along with worksheets to navigate the unfolding path I’m now on. She has been a true blessing. I would recommend her to any “late bloomers” to their sexual identity.
She was a wonderful woman that I liked a lot and helped me through a difficult time in my life!
Paula is amazing!
Paula is very helpful and insightful. She kindly listens and redirects without judgement. Talking to her feels like a friend that you are catching up with- the conversation naturally flows. Thank you for all you do for so many!
Paula is a great source of comfort and compassion in my daily life. Her advice and expertise have come a long way in building my confidence and peace of mind. She is a soothing presence for me. I deeply appreciate her.
Paula is wonderful. Warm, open, witty, and attuned. I would recommend her to my closest loved ones.
I needed help through this process and I was uncomfortable starting therapy but it has helped me a lot and I appreciate her patience and efforts in helping me rebuild. Highly recommend Paula. At the end of the day I chose to invest in myself for once and I’m glad I did with better help.
Paula is amazing. I am grateful to have been matched with her.
I really enjoy Paula!! She listens and appears to truly care about my welfare. I really appreciate the wisdom and advice she imparts.
I have had the luck of finding Paula first thing on this website, and she showed an amazing amount of patience and care for my journey. I felt very validated and encouraged in my feelings, and she helped me to learn more about myself than I ever thought I would. I recommend her to anyone, especially anyone who is being a little too hard on themselves sometimes. A true gem of a person!
Paula Donovan is a wonderful therapist. She is warm, insightful, and quick to respond to messages. She also makes sure one understands how to fully utilize the BH website. I would recommend her to anyone looking for support.
Paula, listen to me like a friend, you can that I trust! And believes in what I say! This makes me feel like I can feel I can open up to easily!
It’s difficult, just to decide therapy, I’m pretty weird and feel very comfortable and safe opening up to Paula. I would recommend Paula , that said I would also recommend you let yourself find your person. It took me a few different people before I found Paula.
I've been in therapy for over a decade now and was looking for a new therapist and knew that the process would be daunting. Thankfully, Paula fell into my lap. While I have only worked with Paula for a short while, I have loved how thoughtful and kind she is with her responses and interactions with me. She encourages me to be just as kind and graceful with myself, which is tough for me. I've noticed that the few sessions that we've had together have impacted me already and I am so happy that our paths have crossed and I look forward to continuing the work that we do together. Thank you Paula!
Paula is an amazing therapist. I feel really heard and understood by her. She makes an effort to give me personalized exercises for my situation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Paula Donovan offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Paula Donovan works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Paula Donovan speak?
Paula Donovan speaks English.
How many years of experience does Paula Donovan have?
Paula Donovan has 20 years of experience.
Where is Paula Donovan licensed to practice?
Paula Donovan is licensed to practice in Virginia.
Does Paula Donovan accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Paula Donovan does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Paula Donovan offer?
Paula Donovan offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Paula Donovan?
Paula Donovan can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Paula Donovan?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.