Paula Fontanes
Paula Fontanes
I am a licensed psychotherapist specializing in treating individuals, couples, and families. My goal is to provide a warm, supportive space where you can feel safe to explore your thoughts and emotions. Whether you're facing anxiety, relationship challenges or simply seeking personal growth, I offer evidence-based therapies tailored to your unique needs. Together, we can work towards healing, growth, and a more fulfilling life. From our sessions, clients can expect to gain greater clarity, emotional balance, and a deeper understanding of themselves. Together, we will work on setting meaningful goals that align with your personal values and life circumstances. Whether it's improving communication, managing stress, or fostering healthier relationships, you’ll leave each session with practical tools and insights to help navigate everyday challenges. My goal is to empower you to make lasting changes, build resilience, and lead a more fulfilling life. I look forward to supporting you on your journey.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During a first session with me, you can expect to talk about your reasons for seeking therapy, your personal background, and any specific challenges or concerns you're facing. We’ll explore what’s been going on in your life, what has brought you to this point, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. I’ll also ask about your goals for therapy, and together, we’ll start creating a plan to help you reach them. This session is also a time for you to ask any questions you may have, share your expectations, and begin establishing a safe, trusting space where you can feel comfortable being yourself.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I bring a deep level of empathy and patience to my work, which helps clients feel comfortable exploring difficult emotions or challenges. I'm also compassionate, understanding, and committed to helping clients feel heard and understood as they work through their challenges at their own pace.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client is someone navigating significant life changes and transformations, such as divorce, relationship problems or break-ups, the loss of a loved one, career shifts, or adjusting to an empty nest. They may also be dealing with anxiety or depression, feeling overwhelmed as they face uncertainty about their direction in life. These clients often find themselves at a crossroads, seeking clarity on the next steps and needing additional support to break free from unhealthy relationships. I work with individuals to rebuild their self-esteem and cultivate self-empowerment. Together, we will explore their experiences, address their concerns, and create a roadmap for personal growth and fulfillment. I am here to provide the guidance and encouragement they need to embrace new beginnings and move confidently toward their goals.
About Paula Fontanes
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Person-centered therapy is a humanistic approach to psychotherapy that aligns with my belief that everyone has the capacity for self-awareness, self-healing, and personal growth. This approach allows you to discover your own solutions and gain insight into what will help you grow, heal, and overcome challenges. It's all about helping you feel empowered to make choices that feel right for you. Over the years, I’ve seen how creating a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space can transform the therapeutic process. This approach empowers you to find solutions that work best for you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an approach that helps you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Often, we don’t realize how much our thoughts impact how we feel and respond to situations. When those thoughts are negative or unhelpful, they can contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression. In our sessions, we’ll work together to identify any patterns of thinking that may be holding you back or causing distress. Then, I’ll help you learn new ways to challenge and change these thoughts so that they’re more balanced and helpful. The goal is to help you develop tools to manage difficult emotions, cope with challenges, and feel more in control of your thoughts and behaviors.
Couples Counseling
In my couples counseling practice, I integrate the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and systemic family therapy to foster healthier communication and deeper emotional connections between partners. By utilizing the Gottman Method, I help couples identify and change negative interaction patterns, focusing on building friendship and intimacy while also expressing their needs and emotions constructively. EFT allows us to explore and understand the underlying emotions that drive behavior, facilitating a deeper bond and greater empathy between partners. Additionally, systemic family therapy provides a broader context to help couples recognize how family history and roles influence their interactions, enabling us to address and heal intergenerational patterns. Together, these approaches create a supportive environment where couples can navigate challenges, strengthen their bond, and cultivate a more fulfilling relationship.