About Paula
Paula Fuentes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in California. She has ten years of clinical work helping people who feel stuck by anxiety, stress, relationship conflict, trauma, and self-esteem struggles. Paula creates a calm, accepting setting where clients can name what matters and begin practical change.
Paula uses straightforward, person-centered care. She listens carefully and helps people set small, doable goals. Sessions focus on communication skills, emotion regulation, and problem-solving that fit daily life.
How Paula works
Her background includes work with a wide range of concerns such as parenting strain, divorce and separation, family of origin issues, fertility challenges, and disruptive mood symptoms. Paula also supports people navigating sexual expression, kink and alternative sex culture, and questions about gender identity.
She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice patterns of thought and behavior, on Dialectical Behavior Therapy to teach coping skills, and on Emotionally-Focused Therapy to address relationship patterns. Mindfulness practices are used to reduce stress and increase present-moment awareness. Paula aims to meet each person where they are and move at a realistic pace.
People who want practical tools, clearer communication, and steadier emotion management often find this approach helpful. She offers sessions in English via several online formats to fit different schedules.
Paula lists 6 ways of working on the entry:
What Paula works with
The areas below are the ones Paula selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
Also listed
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Personality disorders
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Training and background
| Register | LMFT |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 10 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | California |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
How Paula’s Approaches Work Online
Client-Centered Therapy is about listening and tailoring sessions to each person’s needs, helping them feel heard and guiding practical next steps for change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and then practicing specific techniques to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and improve day-to-day functioning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy adds skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help during intense moments.Choosing the right approach is collaborative. Paula will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they may try one method or blend approaches to match the issue and the pace someone wants.
Online formats used include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well for in-depth conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging help people who want ongoing support between sessions or prefer written communication. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to keep continuity when travel or schedule changes occur.
Start online instead of waiting
Our partner service asks a few questions about what you are looking for and matches you with a therapist for sessions from home.
Book with PaulaWe will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.
Common questions
What concerns does Paula address?
What is her therapy style like?
How much clinical experience does she have?
What credentials and location are listed?
Which languages are supported?
What session formats are available?
How are fees and payments handled?
How do I begin working with her?
A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you. Entries are not assessed or endorsed by this directory.
Other entries for stress, anxiety
Supportive LCSW helping people build strength and clarity
Practical, trauma-aware therapy for everyday life
Practical, relational therapy for life transitions