Paula Schneider

Paula Schneider is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Florida with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with individuals, couples and families who are facing addictions, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting concerns, self-esteem and stress issues, trauma and abuse, and the challenges of coping with life changes.

Her professional experience includes treating people who have struggled directly with addiction and disordered eating as well as the problems that often accompany those conditions, such as mood symptoms, relationship conflict and difficulties rooted in family of origin. She has also supported family members who are trying to understand and assist loved ones dealing with these issues.

Paula is familiar with 12-step philosophy and program and has experience in therapeutic community settings. Her clinical toolkit also includes cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic approaches, motivational interviewing, structural family therapy and internal family systems therapy, allowing her to tailor treatment to each person or family.

She has worked extensively with adults who grew up in families where their needs were not well met and who now want to explore those experiences and make changes that promote healthier functioning. These clients frequently present with anxiety, depression and challenges in relationships with parents, spouses and children.

As a mature woman with family and life experience of her own, Paula holds a strong belief that blame and shame are destructive. She emphasizes self-understanding, self-acceptance of past and present feelings, and the cultivation of healthy relationships as central to overcoming obstacles.

In sessions she offers a supportive, interactive environment, helping clients clarify goals and guiding them as they work toward desired outcomes. She approaches people with admiration and respect, recognizes the courage it takes to begin counseling, and takes cues from clients about the pace and focus of work. Paula trusts that clients know themselves best while fulfilling her role as a reflective, honest, challenging and encouraging practitioner.

Paula Schneider values the opportunity to be invited into others’ lives and to share in their progress. Her Florida clinical social work licensure reflects advanced training and qualification to provide psychotherapy and clinical services.