Paula Knighton

Paula Knighton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Virginia with 25 years of experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, and challenges tied to relationships and self-esteem. Paula focuses on practical steps that can make daily life feel more manageable.

Paula builds sessions around a nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients can speak openly. She encourages honest conversation and listens for what matters most to each person. The goal is to find small, realistic changes that add up over time.

Her work often addresses trauma and abuse, coping with life changes, motivation, grief, and intimacy-related concerns. Paula also supports people facing chronic pain, aging issues, and difficulties with substance use. She draws from several therapeutic approaches to match the work to each situation.

Sessions are structured to help people set clear goals and notice progress between meetings. Paula uses practical tools from cognitive behavioral approaches and values-centered methods to help people test new ways of coping. She also invites exploration of emotions and relationship patterns when those areas feel important.

Paula keeps regular weekly hours in the evenings and a morning Saturday slot, with limited adjustments possible. If a session begins more than 15 minutes late, clients should plan to reschedule. To start, readers can use the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire to schedule according to her availability.

How Paula Uses Different Approaches Online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes identifying personal values and taking small committed actions that align with those values. It can help when people feel stuck after big life changes or face ongoing stress and anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood. It is useful for managing everyday problems and improving sleep and motivation. Client-Centered Therapy creates a supportive, nonjudgmental space where the client’s perspective guides the work and emotional processing can unfold at a comfortable pace.

Paula approaches finding the right method as a team effort. She will talk with clients about goals and preferences, try an approach, and adapt as needed. The focus is on what helps the person make progress between appointments rather than on fitting a single labeled method.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the available session formats before booking so you know what to expect. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Many people find it simpler to keep regular appointments and practice new skills between meetings when sessions are easier to attend.