Paula Sussman, LCSW

Paula Sussman is an LCSW with 30 years of experience helping people navigate life changes and personal growth. She focuses on practical support for stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, and self-esteem. Paula works with adults who are looking for clearer direction or relief during difficult transitions, including midlife shifts.

Paula builds a calm, respectful atmosphere where people can talk through their concerns. She listens for strengths and helps clients notice their own resources. Her style blends gentle humor with steady empathy to make hard conversations easier.

In sessions she focuses on what matters most to each person. Paula values the client’s perspective and tailors interventions to fit individual goals. She uses techniques that promote momentum and small, manageable changes.

She has particular experience with caregiving stress, aging and geriatric issues, chronic illness and pain, hospice and end-of-life concerns, and the emotional effects of life transitions. Paula also supports people dealing with isolation, guilt, shame, forgiveness, and questions of life purpose.

Paula is based in Colorado and meets with people throughout the state. She welcomes questions from those deciding whether therapy is the right step. The first conversation is often a chance to see how her approach fits a person’s needs.

How Paula’s approaches fit online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person’s experience. The therapist follows the client’s lead and helps people identify their own goals and strengths. This is useful for stress, grief, and questions about life purpose.

Motivational Interviewing helps people resolve mixed feelings and find motivation for change. It uses open questions and reflective listening to build momentum toward practical steps, which can suit goals like improving self-care or managing caregiving stress.

Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on small, achievable changes and on what works now. Sessions often identify immediate next steps and measure progress, which can be helpful during transitions such as a midlife reconsideration.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with clients to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice may shift as progress is made and priorities evolve.

Confirm available session options before booking, since specific formats are not listed in the profile. Online therapy can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when helpful, and reduce travel time. Many people find remote sessions allow consistent progress while juggling work, caregiving, and other daily demands.