Therapists in Chesapeake, VA

Thanks for considering to start a therapy relationship with me. My hope is that I will provide you with an effective experience that allows you to freely explore the challenges you are currently facing. I strive to help you set goals and make intentional and thoughtful changes in your life. I am committed to helping you achieve your personal best quality of life through excellent clinical services. Please contact me if you are interested in pursuing individual, couples, family therapy or psychological assessment with me.

My ideal client is someone who is open to the therapy experience and is ready to challenge themselves to actively work toward feeling better. Someone who recognizes that while changes in behavior, mood, thinking, relationships, employment, parenting, lifestyle etc. may test our ability to cope, as they can be difficult and painful, how we respond to these changes/challenges ultimately determines the outcome. Someone who is willing to engage in a symbiotic, collaborative therapeutic relationship to work on their self determined goals, whatever they may be.

Sometimes when life happens, we are left with feelings of frustration, confusion, sadness or anger. Then, we face the challenge of moving on, getting by, grieving, and coping. Identifying a problem and a need for help are difficult and necessary first steps towards getting "unstuck", healing and recovery. You have made the first step. I will work with you through the rest.

"Enlightenment consists not merely in the seeing of luminous shapes and visions, but in making the darkness visible." (Carl Jung) Effective therapy is a dedicated collaborative partnership between an individual and therapist. Helpful therapists empower individuals to access their own inner emotional and spiritual wisdom, courage, strength and innate capacity for healing. It is the therapist's responsibility to offer insight and guidance so that one can grow to stand in their truth and set a clear course for change. Often this process must go deep to resolve hidden pain that has resurfaced in the form of symptoms.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with fourteen years of experience. My counseling approaches and interventions include person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, and more. I specialize in working with addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and mood disorders. I encourage my clients to define their success and progress by setting goals and defining what progress looks like for them. I will be that support and guidance on their path toward growth.

I am Dr. Paula Cooks; I am a Christian that believes in the holistic approach to managing the mental health needs of my clients. I use humanistic and existential therapeutic modalities. I believe that the individual, couple, or family has the unconscious resolution to aid in returning to homeostasis. My focus is on managing and improving the mental health status of individuals, families, and couples seeking relief from environmental, situational, and life stressors.

Trauma, addiction, and other personal stressors can feel overwhelming and confusing when confronted alone. Together, the client and therapist can work toward healing, growth, and change. I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings helping clients resolve complicated issues in their personal and professional lives. I have an extensive background in treating addiction as it pertains to the individual and the family. Additionally, my work has focused on codependency, men's and women's issues, trauma/PTSD, relationship stress, and developing healthy communication with others. I also work with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders.

I primarily work with older adolescents and adults. I promote a supportive environment to provide a trusting and caring venue for my clients to explore their concerns. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia. My practice focuses on many concerns, but in particular I work with those who have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, addiction, trauma, anxiety, relationship concerns and depression. I believe in recovery from symptoms, and find that individuals are interested in moving forward with their goals. My overall approach is to be actively engaged with each client to promote healing, growth and recovery.