About Paula
Counselor, Issaquah, Washington,& Sammamish, WA

Being a Counselor: A Major Part of My Life Journey…

My Calling

I was in fifth grade when I learned the definition of a vocation, “A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation.”  As a caring, sensitive and intuitive child, I immediately knew that I wanted to help others.  “A calling, life’s work, mission, purpose”, all words that strongly influenced me.  During my elementary school through high school years, this influence led me to early interests in volunteering for food drives, nursing homes, the homeless, and community events.

Continuing My Passion; Helping Others…While Pursuing a Degree in Psychology.

In college I pursued a degree in psychology, while continuing my volunteer efforts.  Some of which included mentoring children, assisting the elderly, and working with Gang Peace (working with ex-gang members who were giving back to their community).

In my senior year I developed and implemented a mentorship program for the YWCA Transitional School for Homeless Children.  Later, designed an Alumni Mentorship Program for Portland State University.  It was an honor, and I felt passionate about tying together my love for creativity and program development; with the over-arching goal of creating something long-lasting to help others.

I loved the variety of experiences that I had during this time in my life.  They helped me to see outside of myself; collaborating within the community in which I was living regardless of age, race, economic status, or life circumstances.

My Involvement With Research:

During my college years, and beyond, I spent several years working on a statewide Drug and Alcohol Research Project in Oregon.  Upon graduating, I held several research positions within Portland State University, including travelling around the state of Oregon researching levels of care needs for Child Protective Services.

My involvement in research was an important part of my journey.  It allowed me to see the importance of how research can help to identify larger scale needs within a population.  It was another avenue for me to help the broader community.

Pursuit of My Passion: Becoming a Counselor

Through my experiences in volunteer work and social services research, I learned to see outside of myself, and to collaborate with others within the community in which I lived.  I learned to be creative and flexible, and was able to experience a variety of ways to help others within the community.

While I enjoyed and excelled at social services research and program development, my passion was to become a therapist; directly working to help others on a more personal level. Therefore, I pursued a graduate degree in Counseling and Human Services at the University of Idaho.

During my years as a counselor, I have had the opportunity to practice in a wide variety of settings including inpatient, short-term residential, outpatient mental health agencies, and private practice.  These experiences have helped me be the person and therapist that I am today; providing me with a solid grounding in the field, and a solid understanding of how I can facilitate change in a multitude of settings.

A Mission I Feel Strongly About…

Being in private practice as a therapist for the last 13 years has been a rewarding endeavor.  I feel passionate about what I do.  I tend to think the best of others, and have an intuitive understanding that as human beings we are all trying to do the best we can.  It is a honor and a pleasure to get to spend my career working with others who have the courage to explore themselves on a deeper level, opening up, telling their unique stories, laughing, crying, and working through, and beyond their suffering.  I love being a part of something so positive.

Expanding my private therapy practice and starting Centered Mind Counseling Services, has been another way for me to continue my mission towards helping others.  Creating a clinically sound, collaborative environment for other seasoned therapists to provide quality services to adults, children and teens on the Eastside.

After 26 years in social services, more than 20 years of direct counseling experience, and my own life experiences; Centered Mind Counseling Services is a culmination of my life journey thus far.  It integrates my love for creativity, program development, and helping others on a more personal level; with the over-arching ability to help more people within this community.  A purpose and a mission I feel strongly about.

Counseling Credentials Summary

Portland State University, B.S. in Psychology in 1995.
University of Idaho, M.S. in Counseling and Human Services, in 1999.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) LH00006224 – Washington
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) 16548 – Texas

On a Personal Note…

Gratitude:  A Part of My Daily Life

Gratitude helps me see the other side of struggles and hardships in life; it helps me create balance.  I feel grateful for the opportunity to work and live in Issaquah; a community surrounded by nature.  As someone who loves nature, it helps me feel more present and grounded in life.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family, friends, my twin daughters and our pets.  I enjoy activities like hiking, kayaking, reading, art, baking arts, and volunteering with my family to help others.

Living a life of Balance

I am constantly working on staying balanced in my life. I do this by being intentional around my own need for exercise, sleep, good nutrition, and time with friends and family. I am by no means perfect at this whole balance thing!  If I was perfect at it, I wouldn’t be human though, right?!

On a deep level I understand that life happens; struggles happen; things that we don’t expect do happen.  Taking care of myself helps ensure that I cope more effectively with the challenges life throws my way.

I’ve experienced several major life challenges and I can honestly say, I have come out the other side a deeper, calmer, more understanding, and more intentional person.  And, to some people’s surprise a much less anxious person.

Now when I push too much in one direction, I try to notice it and bring myself back to my core values and intentions. I truly believe that I cannot help others unless I do my own personal work, and continue to do so on a daily basis.  I know that psychotherapy works. It is an invaluable tool for growth, healing, new perspectives and change.

Okay…enough about me!  Let’s talk about you…

Issaquah or Sammamish therapy offices or via telehealth. OR call us to set up a FREE 10 minute phone consultation.

Together we can determine how our therapy services can help you!