Paige Schmidt
Hi, I’m Paige! I’m a licensed therapist, and I work with adults who may look like they’re doing alright on the outside but find themselves struggling with anxiety, depression, self-doubt, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or uncertainty about what comes next. You may be navigating a major life change, questioning your decisions, or simply feeling stuck in patterns you’re ready to understand and change. My style is approachable, collaborative, and curious. I take an active role in therapy, offering insight and practical tools while giving you space to explore the experiences and patterns that have shaped you. I especially enjoy helping clients understand the “why” behind the way they think, feel, and respond, including how our nervous systems can be impacted by stress and difficult experiences. A big part of my work is also helping people recognize that they’re often more capable than they give themselves credit for. We’ll look at what’s keeping you stuck, what you want to do differently, and how you can build more confidence in your ability to handle what comes your way. My hope is that you leave therapy knowing yourself better and trusting yourself more.
First session
The first session is really a chance for us to get to know each other and start making sense of what brought you to therapy. You don’t need to come in knowing exactly what to say or having a perfectly clear idea of what you want to work on. If you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay. I’ll help guide the conversation. We’ll go over some basics about therapy and then spend most of our time talking about what’s been going on in your life, what you’ve been struggling with, and what you hope might be different. I’ll ask questions about your current concerns as well as some of your history so I can start to understand the bigger picture. You’re always welcome to let me know if there’s something you’re not ready to get into yet. There’s no expectation that we cover everything in the first session. The first session also gives you a chance to get a feel for me and how I work. You’re welcome to ask questions, share concerns, or tell me what is and isn’t working for you. Before we wrap up, we’ll talk about what stood out to us, where we might start, and what our work together could look like. My hope is that you leave feeling heard, a little less overwhelmed by where to begin, and like we have a direction to move in together.
Strengths
Clients have described my style as conversational and down-to-earth. I’m engaged in sessions and try to create an environment where you can talk openly without therapy feeling overly formal. I’ll ask questions, share observations, and help you notice patterns that might be difficult to see when you’re in the middle of them. As we get to know each other, I may challenge you to look at something differently or consider a perspective you haven’t before, and when it feels natural, there’s room for humor too.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with young adults and adults who are trying to find their footing, whether that means navigating a life transition, making a big decision, or figuring out what they actually want for themselves. Many of the clients I connect well with are dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or a tendency to second-guess themselves. They may be hard on themselves or have trouble recognizing their own strengths, and often want to better understand patterns in their lives or relationships that don’t seem to be working for them anymore.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients change the way they relate to difficult thoughts and emotions rather than feeling like they have to get rid of them before they can move forward. We may work on noticing when anxiety, self-doubt, or fear of disappointing others is driving your choices and creating some space between what your mind is telling you and how you choose to respond. I also help clients get clearer about what matters to them and what they want their life to look like, then find realistic ways to make choices that reflect those values. The goal isn’t to never feel anxious or uncertain, but to feel more capable of moving forward even when those feelings show up.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize patterns in the way they think, feel, and respond to situations. We may look at assumptions you’ve developed about yourself, other people, or what you “should” be doing and explore whether those beliefs are still helpful or accurate. I’ll often ask questions that help you consider a situation from a different perspective and notice when anxiety, self-doubt, or old habits may be influencing the way you respond. From there, we can work on practical ways to interrupt patterns that are keeping you stuck and practice responding differently in your everyday life.
Strength-Based
I use a strengths-based approach to help clients recognize the abilities, resilience, and resources they already have, especially when self-doubt makes those things difficult to see. We may look at ways you’ve handled challenges in the past, qualities you tend to overlook in yourself, or moments when you’ve been more capable than you gave yourself credit for. Rather than focusing only on what’s wrong or what needs to change, we’ll also pay attention to what’s already working and build from there. Over time, this can help you develop a more balanced view of yourself and greater confidence in your ability to handle difficult situations.
Trauma Informed Care
I use a trauma-informed approach to help clients understand how difficult or overwhelming experiences can continue to shape the way they respond to stress, relationships, and everyday situations. We may explore how your nervous system learned to protect you and why certain reactions can feel automatic, even when they no longer seem helpful. Understanding where these responses come from can make it easier to approach them with curiosity rather than judgment and begin practicing new ways of responding. I also pay attention to pacing and want you to have a sense of choice and control over what we explore in therapy.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Christian
White
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Coping Skills
Self Esteem
Other specialties
ADHD
Burnout
Childhood / Intergenerational Trauma
Depression
Emotional Regulation
Life Transitions
Loneliness / Isolation
Peer Relationships
Spirituality
Women's Issues
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Individual Therapy
Woman
Doesn't specialize in
Addiction
Autism
Bipolar Disorder
Child or Adolescent
Couples Counseling
Couples Counseling
Crisis Intervention
Dissociative Disorders
Eating Disorders
Family Therapy
Family Therapy
Medication Management
Personality Disorders
Licensed in
NevadaLicense CP6155-R
OregonLicense C8893