Paula Steele, LCSW

Paula Steele is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience based in Maine. She focuses on practical support for everyday problems like stress, anxiety, parenting strain, depression, ADHD, and relationship difficulties. Paula uses clear, down-to-earth language so people can understand what to expect from sessions.

She practices client-centered work and often draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness and motivational techniques are also part of her approach to help with emotion regulation and finding motivation for change.

Paula aims to build a trusting working relationship first. She emphasizes simple skills - like breathing, thought tracking, and short behavior experiments - that can fit into a busy life. Sessions also look at patterns in relationships and family dynamics when those affect well-being.

Her background includes long-term social work practice with individuals facing trauma, domestic violence, homelessness, chronic illness, and other life stressors. That experience informs practical problem-solving and help with navigating services and supports.

Paula understands parenting demands firsthand and knows how caregiving stress can affect mood and daily functioning. She helps parents balance responsibilities, set realistic goals, and strengthen routines that support sleep, self-care, and family communication.

People who prefer direct, collaborative work that mixes skill building with reflection tend to fit well with her style. She offers sessions in English and provides video calls, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging to make scheduling easier.

How Paula Uses Practical Therapies Online

Paula often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT can be useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, panic, and patterns that get in the way of daily life. She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on listening, building trust, and helping people find their own solutions through a respectful, non-judgmental approach.

Finding the right approach happens together. Paula will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful. She tailors techniques from different approaches so the work fits the client's life and pace rather than following a rigid plan.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to give flexibility. Video calls work well for deeper conversations and visual cues. Phone sessions can fit a break at work or require less bandwidth. Live chat and messaging are useful for short check-ins, skill practice, or when someone prefers typing to talking. These options make it easier to keep regular appointments and to practice skills between sessions.