PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

PR Portrait of Paula Ruehling
Online therapist

Paula Ruehling

Calm, experienced guidance for parenting stress

Credentials
LPC
Experience
33 years
Licensed in
Georgia
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Paula

Paula Ruehling is a Licensed Professional Counselor who brings 33 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress and anxiety, work through relationship concerns, and navigate parenting challenges. Her approach centers on respect, sensitivity, and compassion so clients feel heard from the first session.

Paula shapes conversations and plans around each person’s situation. She listens for practical needs and helps set manageable steps toward clearer thinking and steadier emotions.

Background and approach

Sessions aim to build motivation, strengthen self-esteem, and restore a sense of confidence. Her background includes long-term practice in Georgia and many years treating mood-related concerns. That experience informs how she responds to issues such as panic, social anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

She also attends to caregiver stress and challenges tied to chronic illness or disability. Communication skills are a regular focus in therapy with Paula. She helps people clarify what they want to say and practice new ways to connect.

Over time the work is often about reducing isolation, improving day-to-day coping, and finding better routines. Paula adapts her sessions to each person’s needs and pace. She recognizes that starting therapy is a big step and aims to make the process straightforward and supportive.

Conversations can be practical, gentle, or direct depending on what will help most.

Approaches that translate well to online care

Many effective, evidence-based techniques can be used in remote sessions. One approach focuses on skill-building for anxiety and panic - teaching breathing, grounding, and stepwise exposure to reduce avoidance and regain daily functioning. Another common technique targets mood and self-esteem by identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them against real-life evidence to shift patterns that keep someone stuck.

The choice of approach is not fixed at the start. Paula works collaboratively to find the best fit based on the person’s needs, goals, and preferences. Together they decide which techniques to try and adjust them as progress unfolds.

Online therapy formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and maintain continuity when life is unpredictable. Many people find the flexibility helps them stay consistent with their work and practice skills between appointments.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Paula commonly address?
She works with stress and anxiety, relationship and parenting issues, self-esteem, and depression. Additional focuses include caregiver stress, chronic illness or pain, communication problems, isolation and mood disorders.
What is her therapy style like?
Sessions are grounded in respect and sensitivity. Conversations are tailored to practical steps that help with coping, confidence, and clearer communication.
How long has she practiced?
Paula has 33 years of professional work experience in counseling. That background informs her approach to mood, anxiety, and stress-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, licensed in Georgia with licence number GA LPC LPC002532.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with Paula?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Next step

Talk to Paula

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point