A woman with brown hair, wearing large black glasses and pearl earrings, smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with colorful books, wearing a yellow shirt.

Nice to meet you!

I’m Paula (she/her) – a licensed psychotherapist based in New York. In therapy together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back so that we can get you closer to your authentic values and goals.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, I am a bilingual (English/Spanish), queer, first-generation immigrant. These lived experiences inform my therapeutic approach, and I bring a culturally responsive and feminist perspective to each session. I enjoy helping clients navigate cultural identity, explore family dynamics, and heal intergenerational wounds.

My work as a therapist is grounded in compassion and my belief in the human capacity for change. I’ve seen how vulnerable connection can foster deep healing and growth, and I'm grateful to help clients build more meaningful, liberated lives. Outside of my practice, I enjoy reading, yoga, spending time in nature, and hanging out with my cat.

Clinical Focus:

I specialize in treating complex trauma, PTSD, OCD, anxiety disorders, and life transitions, with a particular focus on supporting LGBTQIA+ clients, creatives, young professionals, and immigrants.

My clinical approach integrates:

  • Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Prolonged Exposure (PE)

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work

  • Somatic and mindfulness-based strategies

  • The Gottman Method (Level 1) for relationship therapy

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

This means I combine practical skills (for managing emotions, anxiety, or obsessions) with deeper trauma healing, somatic body awareness, attachment, and relationship-focused work.

Education and training:

I completed my graduate training at Columbia University’s School of Social Work, earning my Master of Social Work (MSW). At Columbia, I specialized in health, mental health, and disabilities, and participated in the Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training Program under the guidance of Dr. Ivanoff. Before Columbia, I worked in the nonprofit sector and earned my Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

I’ve also received extensive post-graduate training, including advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Race-Based Traumatic Invalidation, Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy for PTSD, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), DBT for Multidiagnostic Eating Disorders (MED-DBT), Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), The Gottman Method - Level 1, and LGBTQIA+ Gender-Affirming Care.

Licensing:

  • New York (LMSW) License #: 120062

  • New Jersey (LSW) License #: 44SL06962400

Supervision:

  • As an LMSW, I receive close supervision by seasoned mental health providers. I am a staff psychotherapist at Queer Behaviors and Aspire Psychotherapy, specializing in psychotherapeutic work with the LGBTQIA+ community. I am supervised by Chrissandra Andra, MA, LCSW, SIFI (NYS License #: 095613) and Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D., LCSW, BCN.