Paula J Mistovich
Hello, my name is Paula. I believe the strengths and tools you've developed in the past can help you navigate the difficulties in your present life, whether they are day-to-day challenges or long-standing pain. I have a saying that 'there is nothing we can't get through together,' and with me by your side, I hope you can face and overcome the challenges in front of you. I have a graduate degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ, with a master's degree in Social Work (MSW). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I bring many years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings. I have fifteen years of experience in private practice, and for the most recent 15 years, I worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs (Vet Centers), providing outpatient individual, group, and couples therapy to combat veterans and their families, military sexual trauma survivors, and family members who had lost loved ones on active duty. My focus is on adult issues, using a cognitive/emotional therapy approach. I work with grief, including traumatic grief, and emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. I also specialize in trauma and PTSD and am dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. My goal is to help you feel empowered in your life, able to face its challenges, and confident in the choices you make. If you're ready to start this journey together, I look forward to meeting you and working towards a brighter future.
First session
The first session for me is about curiosity. It's about establishing a connection, a relationship, seeing if we are a good fit for each other, and beginning to sort through what brings you to therapy. It's about finding out who you are and what you hope to accomplish in therapy.
Strengths
My clients often describe me as honest, interactive, and supportive throughout our journey together. Developing a trusting relationship is the cornerstone of 'good therapy.' It's important to me that you feel heard and understood, and that you also hear and understand me. I am highly supportive but will also provide constructive, critical feedback.
Ideal clients
There area number of clients I would consider to be ideal for me. This is because of my years of experience w/an eclectic base of clients. One would be similar to your example: a young motivated professional dealing w/things such as work and relationship transitions, needing support in decion making, weighing pros and cons in making decisions. Another example would be a creative adult of any age who utilizes one or more art form, (ie poetry writing, collage art or dancing) and encouraging the client to 'use their art' in the expression of feelings, identifying their transitions, or grief, as examples. This third example comprises the majority of my current caseload: a bereaved widow who has recently lost her longterm spouse, and is trying to navigate her grief. We would utilize a number of therapy methods including normalizing their grief experiences; looking at issues such as unresolved guilt; identifying linking objects; assessing for the need for a medication assessment/referral to an appropriate provider. and encouraging , when the client is ready, participation in an appropriate grief group and outside social activities.
Treatment methods
Interpersonal
I am active in my interaction w/clients, so they know I am an advocate for them. I am empathetically honest when giving clients feedback and they appreciate this. I have clients describe in detail relational situations and look at patterns. I've heard from multiple clients 'I like you b/c you are "real".'
Grief Therapy
Because I have specialized in grief for 35 years I am fully competent in working w/bereavement clients. I utilize normalizing their grief experience, expression of thoughts and feelings, psychoeducation, bibliotherapy re: grief .
Eclectic
I have many years of experience and draw from many treatment methods including Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, CPT, CBT, bereavement therapy, psychodynamic therapy among others. I even involve methods from Playback Theatre, in which I was involved for a number of years, utilizing story telling to elicit feelings, thoughts, insights and changing behavior in future situations.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- ArizonaLicense LCSW-0653