Hi, I am Dr. Paula Downie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I graduated from Florida State University with a Masters in Social Work in 2003 and I graduated from Walden University in 2020 with my Doctorate in Social Work. My experience in providing therapy includes provision of group, individual, and family therapy. My main mode of therapy is Cognitive Behavioral, but I am trained in additional therapies such as Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I may also utilize an eclectic approach when called for to the benefit of the client. My goal as a social worker and a therapist is to bring options, enlightenment, and empowerment to the people I touch and thereby helping to achieve an improved quality of life.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Antisocial Personality, Attachment issues, Avoidant Personality, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Fertility Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Prejudice and Discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
AL LICSW 2419C
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Paula Downie. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Therapy has helped me out a lot I’m definitely going to continue my therapy with my therapist
Written on May 14, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and sleeping disorders
This type of support is the first experience for me which made feel very nervous, shameful, even embarrassed that I need therapy of this kind. Dr. Downie has been wonderful in making me feel comfortable enough to open up about all my emotional issues. "There, I said it.". I would have never admitted, spoke, or said I have an emotional issue to anyone about my personal emotions. But I received therapy from Dr. Downie, I am better about taking care of myself mentally, and I don't harbor my feelings anymore. I finally found someone to talk to that truly understands how I feel and supports me in helping me work on healing myself mentally and emotionally in a positive way. THANK YOU DR. DOWNIE!!! WHAT A RELIEF!!!
Written on Apr 09, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, sleeping disorders, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching
Dr. Downie is amazing! She hears you. She lets you speak, but she is not shy to point out your part of the problem. She is truly the only person who has heard my heart and helped me get to where I want to be. Thank you so much!!!
Written on Mar 23, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, and trauma and abuse
Dr. Downie is a thoughtful therapist. She really wants to see me reach my therapy goals. She listens well, but holds me accountable (gently!) Additionally, she is a very relatable human being.
Written on Mar 08, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Dr Paula Downie is a very caring person and I feel like she really understands where I’m coming from. I’m thankful for my session with her and value her input. Looking forward to another session with her.
Written on Feb 18, 2023 after therapy with Paula for 3 days on issues concerning stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, and career difficulties