Paul McClellan
Paul McClellan, LCSW-C is a therapist practicing in Maryland. His primary focus is providing honest and authentic communication with clients, and being a resource for active listening and problem solving. He completed his Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Chicago in 2015, and he has over 10 years of clinical experience working with adults, adolescents, families, and couples.
I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and help clients notice patterns that may be difficult to see on their own.
Paul uses an eclectic blend of therapy styles, including Cognitive Behavioral, DBT-informed techniques, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, and psycho-education to individuals ages ten and up. Paul uses a holistic approach, exploring with and educating clients about how mind, spirit and body are interconnected. His theory is that a person-centered, nonjudgmental approach best serves the client and that together, we can help a client explore and experience change.
First session
In our first session, we’ll begin getting to know each other. I’ll be curious about what life has been like for you, what led you here, and what you’d like me to understand. It’s okay if you’re nervous or unsure where to start—we can find a starting point together. There will also be room for your questions and a conversation about what working together could look like. You can share at your own pace as we begin to build trust.
Strengths
I bring warmth, patience, and curiosity to my sessions, creating a space where clients can feel heard and accepted. One of my strengths is helping people feel comfortable being themselves. I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and help clients notice patterns that may be difficult to see on their own. I can be gentle and encouraging while also offering honest feedback. Whether someone needs space to process a difficult experience or help figuring out a next step, I meet them with patience and a willingness to work through it together.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with people who are trying to make sense of what they’re feeling or experiencing, even when they don’t quite have the words yet. They may be facing worries, relationship difficulties, or changes that feel hard to navigate. I welcome questions, uncertainty, and mixed feelings about therapy. Together, we can get curious about what matters to them, what feels difficult, and what they would like to be different.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you explore difficult thoughts and feelings with curiosity, understand the patterns that keep you stuck, and reconnect with what matters to you. Difficult feelings are a normal part of being human, and part of our work is learning to accept their presence rather than feeling we have to push them away. For example, if you’re thinking, “I’m too anxious to do this,” we might explore how you can make room for that anxiety (Acceptance) while taking a small step toward something you care about (Commitment).
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT helps us untangle thoughts, feelings, and actions, which can sometimes seem blurred together. Slowing down and noticing each element can make an overwhelming experience easier to understand and reveal places where you have room to respond differently. Together, we might trace how one thought leads to another, examine the evidence behind a belief, consider alternative perspectives, or explore how small changes in your actions affect the way you think and feel.