Paola Johnson

LMFT

Many people come to therapy knowing that something is not working, but not yet understanding how earlier experiences may still be shaping their emotions, relationships, self-worth, or responses to stress. You may understand your patterns intellectually and still feel unable to change them. I help clients approach those patterns with curiosity rather than shame, understand how they may once have served a protective purpose, and develop greater freedom and choice in the present. For nearly a decade, I have supported adults affected by childhood trauma, sexual assault, relational trauma, and other overwhelming experiences, as well as anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and relationship concerns. My commitment to this work is informed by both clinical experience and my own experience of healing. I also pay attention to how culture, immigration, identity, and family history shape each person’s experience. My style is warm, collaborative, and active. We will move at a pace that respects your readiness, current circumstances, and sense of safety. I offer an integrative, mind-body, and experiential approach, including Brainspotting and Internal Family Systems (IFS), tailoring our work to your unique healing process. As Octave's Trauma Center of Excellence Lead, I bring an ongoing commitment to trauma-informed care that honors each client's needs, pace, and sense of safety. I believe healing is not about erasing what happened—it is about building a more compassionate relationship with yourself and expanding your capacity for connection, agency, and choice.