Paula Maute
Welcome! Are you struggling with relationship challenges, persistent anxiety, depression (including lethargy and procrastination), the lingering effects of trauma, family/work life or a Big Decision such as coupling or uncoupling, changing a job, pregnancy? I believe we all possess vast intelligence, creativity, flexibility and the ability to deeply connect with others, but that our 'distresses' can hinder us from living fully. Together, we can explore the roots of your struggles, often based in childhood experiences that shape your present worldview and relationships. I can help you set (and achieve) goals and build upon your strengths, values, accomplishments, insights & passions.
First session
In our first session, we explore what brings you to therapy, along with your childhood and family experiences, your successes and setbacks, strengths and accomplishments and hopes for therapy. Over the first few sessions, we explore the sources of your problem(s), what you've tried to address the problem, and we look at alternative strategies and perspectives of the problem. Maybe your problem reflects a strength? We set a goal, along with steps, baby steps, you can take to lighten your emotional load and address the problem. I'm stress self-care: sleep, diet, exercise, drug/alcohol use, which all affect your mood. Since change requires action & practice, I offer weekly assignments aimed to achieve your goal, e.g., practicing asking for help, listing your ‘Wow!’ traits, initiating a hard conversation, writing a scenario of a perfect outcome, setting boundaries.
Strengths
I'm an extremely good listener ... my compassion is boundless. I believe humor is as powerful as tears, silence as powerful as talk, that cats and dogs are really good friends, and that standing still is as helpful as taking action. I encourage clients to lead the way, and to tell me what's working and what's not. I have a large toolbox of strategies -- from role playing tough conversations, boundary setting exercises, and self-esteem building tools, to mindfulness exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and rewriting your story, via narrative therapy or drawing or poetry or music. I'm a mother (of an adult child), a sister and daughter and a friend. Growing up in a relatively large family, I've focused on family dynamics and the roles we play in our families that we carry into adulthood. I help clients harness the power of art and creativity, to look at the stories we tell ourselves -- I'm bad/stupid ... I'll never make it ... I'm so scatter-brained, always was." or "I'm better than ... stronger ... fiercer... smarter than others" and help clients rewrite their stories.
Ideal clients
I love working with young adults 18+, including those seeking a meaningful work life; college students coping with the academic and social stresses -- forming authentic relationships, identifying academic interests, exploring your values, and gaining independence; grad students coping with the academic maze (and politics) of research, writing a dissertation. I also enjoy working with young and seasoned professionals, and with adults who are "searchers" -- seeking meaning, authenticity, a dream job or partner that aligns with your values, interests and life goals, with whom to build a family. I also work with older adults, coping with an empty nest, relationship issues and seeking change.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I help clients explore how their thoughts, beliefs, feelings and behavior interact. For example, if you believe or feel that you are "less than" others, you might be afraid to express your needs in relationships or say no to requests that could overwhelm you. Once you realize you're equal to others, that you hold power in relationships, you may find it easier to set limits in relationships and ask for what you want and need.
Feminist
As a feminist therapist, I recognize the challenges that women face as a result of sexism and internalized oppression, and how these forces shape our actions and relationships at work, at home and in society. I see the therapeutic relationship as collaborative and help clients identify and build upon their strengths, insights, intuition, skills and abilities, and to set and pursue their personal and professional goals
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
When we live in the present moment, in the "here and now", we can more fully experience life, and move beyond the anxiety and fear based on past distress and trauma. I incorporate mindfulness exercises in therapy such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, "present time" awareness and deep breathing exercises. I also incorporate writing and art exercises to help clients process feelings and live more fully in the present.
Narrative
Narrative Therapy helps us make meaning of our lives through stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, our relationships, and our place in the world. Narrative Therapy approaches explore what we tell ourselves about ourselves, often developed through our experiences in our families, in school and the larger culture. In this approach, the client sets the pace while the therapist listens and helps the client explore their "stories" and deepen their narrative or forge new paths or chapters or even rewrite our script based on our values, beliefs and goals. Research shows narrative therapy can deepen intimacy and relationships, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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Licensed in
- MassachusettsLicense LICSW113567