Paula Garrard, LCSW

Licensed in North Carolina · 20 years in practice

Paula Garrard helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and big life changes.

License and registration

LCSW, North Carolina: C005877 · expires November 2027
NPI: 1679809156 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 20
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Paula

Paula Garrard helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and big life changes. She offers steady support and practical steps to manage overwhelming feelings. Paula is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in North Carolina and brings two decades of experience to her work.

Her sessions are straightforward and focused. She listens first, then helps clients set small, doable goals. Conversations aim to reduce intense emotions and build coping skills that fit daily life.

Background and approach

Paula creates an affirming environment for LGBT people who want respectful, nonjudgmental care. She centers each person’s values and pace when exploring identity-related concerns or coming out stress. Her background includes long-term clinical practice with adults facing loss and major transitions.

That experience shapes how she supports grieving people and those adjusting to life changes. Practical coping strategies and grief processing are common components of her work. Paula blends empathy with clear steps people can try between sessions.

She helps clients track what works and adjusts plans as needed. The overall focus is on usable tools, steadier mood, and clearer choices going forward.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Paula lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Online support

How Paula Uses Evidence-Based Methods Online

Paula draws on practical, evidence-based techniques that translate well to remote sessions. One common approach focuses on teaching coping strategies for anxiety and stress through short exercises and behavior changes. These tools help reduce worry and teach ways to respond differently to stressful thoughts.

Another approach centers on grief and mood work where sessions include structured conversations about loss, normalizing feelings, and pacing activities that rebuild routine and meaning. This helps people move at their own speed while practicing small steps toward feeling more like themselves.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Paula discusses goals and preferences in the first sessions and adapts techniques based on how a person responds. She treats therapy as a collaboration and checks in regularly to refine the plan.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions are useful when internet bandwidth is limited or a short check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit people who prefer written conversations or want flexible, on-the-go support. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and keep continuity between appointments.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Paula help with?

She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and coping with major life changes. LGBT-related concerns are also listed as a focus.

What is her therapeutic style?

Her approach is empathic and practical. Sessions focus on listening, setting small goals, and building coping skills you can use between meetings.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 20 years of experience working as a therapist. That background informs her work with grief and life transitions.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds an LCSW credential and practices in North Carolina.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are offered?

Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How are costs handled?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin if I want to work with her?

Start by clicking the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a session according to therapist availability.

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