Angela Paul, Clinical Social Worker / Addiction Counselor

I am a licensed clinical social worker and licensed addiction counselor committed to supporting individuals through mental health and addiction challenges with compassion and evidence-based care.

Hi, I’m Angela. I understand that reaching out for support is often the hardest part of the journey, especially when you feel life is heavy or uncertain. My goal is to meet you exactly where you are, whether you are navigating the complexities of recovery, the weight of grief, or the shifting transitions of midlife. Since 2016, I have focused my career on supporting adults through the challenges of substance use, working across all levels of care, including detox, residential, and medication-assisted treatment.

As both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Addiction Counselor, I have invested significant additional education and clinical hours specifically in the field of addiction. I believe it is important to work with a therapist who focuses on these patterns, as alcohol and substance use rarely exist in isolation. They are often intertwined with anxiety, codependency, trauma, and relationship stress. In our sessions, we will explore how these challenges impact one another and work toward your specific goals for change, whether that involves moderation or choosing abstinence.

I am also passionate about supporting women navigating the challenges of perimenopause and menopause. This stage of life frequently brings a surge of symptoms such as irritability, brain fog, and anxiety where you might find yourself drinking more than you intended just to get through the day. I offer a nonjudgmental space to address these symptoms, helping you develop healthier ways to cope so you can feel like yourself again.

My practice is built on a foundation of grace, respect, and the belief in the inherent dignity of every individual. I provide a supportive environment where we can work through the messiness together to build a life that aligns with your true values and goals.

Your first session with me is really about getting to know you and beginning to build a sense of safety and trust. It’s completely normal for the first session to feel a little awkward. We’re strangers at first but I work to create a comfortable, supportive space where you can show up just as you are.

Since sessions are offered through telehealth, you’ll be joining from the comfort and privacy of your own home or another safe space where you feel at ease. We’ll start by talking through what brought you to therapy and what feels most important for you right now. I’ll also gather some background information about your history, current challenges, and what you’ve tried so far.

A significant part of our first session will focus on your goals and what you hope to gain from therapy and what change would look like for you. From there, I’ll begin to share how I typically work, including the therapeutic approaches I use, so you have a clear understanding of what our work together may look like moving forward.

My goal in the first session is for you to leave with a sense of clarity, direction, and whether this feels like the right fit for you, along with the beginning of a collaborative plan tailored to your needs.

One of my strengths as a therapist is that I take a whole-person approach. I look at not just what someone is struggling with, but also what’s going on in their life; things like stress, relationships, work, health, and the environment they’re living in because all of these things affect mental health.

Clients often tell me they feel comfortable with me pretty quickly because I work in a warm, nonjudgmental, and caring way. I try to create a space where people feel safe being honest, even when things feel messy or hard to talk about.

I also don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. I use different tools and therapy methods depending on what each person needs, and we figure that out together. When it’s important to a client, I can also include faith in a respectful way, but only if that’s something they want.

What I think really stands out about my approach is that I help people both understand what’s going on underneath their struggles and also learn practical ways to cope day-to-day. So it’s not just talking but it’s also working toward real change that feels doable.

Overall, my goal is for clients to feel supported, understood, and encouraged as they make meaningful changes in their life at a pace that feels right for them.

The individuals I tend to work best with are adults who are noticing that alcohol, substances, or other coping behaviors have begun to play a larger role in managing stress, emotions, or life demands than they would like. Many are high-functioning and outwardly managing responsibilities, yet internally feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from their usual sense of balance.

This often includes people navigating major life transitions such as work or relationship changes, caregiving stress, burnout, or shifts in identity and purpose. I also frequently work with women in perimenopause and menopause who are experiencing changes in mood, stress tolerance, sleep, and coping patterns, including increased reliance on alcohol or other unhelpful strategies during this stage of life.

The clients who tend to benefit most from my approach are those who are open to reflection and interested in understanding the “why” behind their patterns, even if they feel uncertain or ambivalent about change at first. Many are seeking a space where they can talk honestly without judgment, while also beginning to build healthier coping tools and more intentional ways of responding to stress and emotional discomfort.

I support clients in clarifying and working toward their own goals, whether that involves reducing use, moderation, or abstaining completely. The focus is on honoring each person’s autonomy and supporting the path that best aligns with their values, readiness, and desired quality of life.

My work is a good fit for individuals who value a collaborative, grounded approach. Together, we focus on increasing emotional awareness, strengthening coping strategies, and moving toward more sustainable patterns that support long-term well-being.