Shad St. Paul, LICSW

Shad St. Paul is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who uses straightforward, practical therapy to help people move forward. He blends goal-focused strategies with supportive listening. Sessions are paced to fit each person’s priorities and energy level.

Shad draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people spot unhelpful thinking and build different patterns. He also uses client-centered and narrative approaches to honor each person’s story and goals. Dialectical behavior therapy and motivational interviewing are part of his toolkit when emotion regulation or substance use come into focus.

Over 14 years he has worked with people facing addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, low self-esteem, and depression. He also helps with codependency, commitment issues, communication problems, and problems related to obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. His experience includes addressing drug and alcohol addiction and related family strains.

In sessions he aims to be warm and nonjudgmental while offering concrete steps you can try between meetings. Conversations cover both immediate coping skills and longer-term shifts in thinking and behavior. Shad and a client set practical goals and check progress together.

Shad practices in Washington and conducts sessions in English. He emphasizes respect for each person’s background and works at a pace that fits individual needs.

How evidence-based approaches work online

Shad commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT focuses on concrete steps and practice, which translates well to online sessions for issues like anxiety, depression, and obsessive thoughts.

He also draws on client-centered methods that prioritize listening and reflecting the person’s experience. This approach helps people feel heard and keeps goals grounded in what matters to them. Dialectical behavior therapy tools may be used when stronger emotion regulation or distress tolerance skills are needed.

Finding the right approach is a joint process. The therapist will discuss goals, try strategies, and adjust based on what helps most. Clients and the therapist check progress and pick methods that fit personal needs and preferences.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for longer sessions and skill work, while phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or text can support brief check-ins, homework review, or moments when a shorter touchpoint fits a busy day. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or family schedules.