Paula Peterson , LPC

Paula Peterson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Wisconsin with 18 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who are facing stress, anxiety, grief, anger, depression, and life changes. Paula also works with issues many women bring to therapy, such as postpartum concerns, self-worth, and navigating midlife questions.

She uses straightforward, compassionate conversation to help people sort through painful feelings. Sessions often start by identifying practical goals and small steps that feel doable. Paula draws on Client-Centered and cognitive behavioral ideas to help people change unhelpful thoughts and build healthier habits.

Paula has worked in both day treatment and outpatient settings. That background gives her experience with trauma, addiction, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and workplace stress. She helps people facing family of origin issues, communication problems, codependency, and career crossroads.

Her approach blends mindfulness and solution-focused strategies to support coping and emotional regulation. For people with traumatic memories, she includes EMDR as one option to process those memories when appropriate. Paula emphasizes collaboration and helps clients choose techniques that fit their needs.

Paula aims to create a direct, respectful space for clients to reflect, practice new skills, and track progress. She welcomes inquiries from adults who want practical tools for managing emotions, rebuilding self-esteem, or moving forward after loss or major life shifts.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Paula combines client-centered work with cognitive behavioral strategies to help people identify goals, notice unhelpful thinking patterns, and build new coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and following the client's lead to clarify values and choices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is practical and skills-oriented, helping people change thought-behavior cycles related to anxiety, depression, and workplace stress.

When trauma is part of someone's story, Paula can include EMDR as an option to process distressing memories. EMDR uses guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation to reduce the intensity of traumatic memories and related reactions; it is typically used alongside other supportive therapeutic work. Paula approaches choice of method as a collaboration and will help clients decide which approach fits their goals and comfort level.

Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls let people use visual cues and longer sessions, phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited or when a simpler check-in is needed, and live chat or text messaging can support brief updates and between-session reflection. These options offer flexibility for scheduling, shorter or longer contacts, and different ways to stay engaged while working toward goals.