Therapist profile
Pauleena Akers, LCSW, CSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Family and parenting focus
Continue with PauleenaAbout
- CBT
- Client-centered
- Mindfulness
About Pauleena
Pauleena Akers is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Georgia with six years of clinical experience. She focuses on common household strains such as stress, anxiety, relationship tension, parenting-related pressures, grief, and changes that come with life transitions. Pauleena also addresses sleep problems, career stress, self-esteem struggles, and mood concerns including postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder. She works in English and does not take international clients.
Pauleena uses straightforward, evidence-informed methods to help people sort out what they are thinking and feeling. She asks questions that surface unhelpful thought patterns and offers alternate ways to look at problems. Sessions emphasize practical steps people can try between meetings as well as reflection during sessions.
She holds a Master of Social Work from Valdosta State University, completed a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2014, and earned professional licensure as an LCSW in Georgia in 2022. Before licensure she worked as a substance abuse counselor and has experience across inpatient and outpatient settings with newborns at risk, older adults, and general adult populations.
Pauleena says therapy is not one size fits all. She invites people who have had negative therapy experiences before to consider a different way of working, focused on forgiveness, gratitude, and building coping skills. Practical concerns like anger management, improving communication, and managing compassion fatigue are common topics in her sessions.
Outside work she is married and has two elementary‑school aged daughters. She enjoys travel, reading, outdoor activities, and a good meal with family.
How sessions work
How Pauleena uses therapeutic approaches online
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the person in front of the therapist. It helps people feel heard and clarifies their priorities so sessions address everyday household and relationship concerns.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It offers specific techniques to test unhelpful beliefs, change thinking patterns, and practice new responses for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and communication difficulties.
Mindfulness Therapy brings attention to present-moment experience through simple awareness practices. It can reduce rumination, ease stress, and support better focus during busy days with children or caregiving responsibilities.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Pauleena will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before, then adapt methods collaboratively. She uses client feedback to shape each session and suggests practical exercises to try between meetings.
The therapist's profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Many people appreciate online sessions because they can fit meetings into work breaks, avoid travel time, or choose a shorter check-in when life is hectic. Online appointments can make it easier to keep continuity during major life changes while still using structured techniques from CBT, mindfulness, and client-centered work.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Georgia
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What problems does she help with at home?
Pauleena works with adults on stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family-related pressures, grief, self-esteem, and life changes. She also addresses sleep, career stress, and mood concerns including postpartum depression and SAD.
What style of therapy does she use?
She uses client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to help people change unhelpful thoughts and develop new coping habits.
How much experience does she have?
She has six years of clinical experience, including work in inpatient and outpatient settings and earlier work as a substance abuse counselor.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and CSW licensed in Georgia. Her training includes an MSW from Valdosta State University.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.