Paula Connolly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her M.A. in Social Work from the University of Chicago. She has over 30 years of clinical experience. She completed a 2-year post graduate program in Marital and Family Therapy at the Family Institute of Chicago (Northwestern University). She currently works with adults in individual and couples’ therapy.
She has also worked extensively in the medical community and is skilled at working with people (and those they love) on adjustment to illness issues, end-of-life care and bereavement. She is comfortable exploring the spiritual dimensions that are often significant during these times.
Paula likes to help clients identify the negative messages about themselves and the world that they have, often unknowingly, been carrying around with them. Examining these messages, discerning what is true and helpful and what is not, is freeing. A major goal of therapy is to have your positive sense of self well up from within while affirmations from others become just the ‘icing on the cake!’ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with Mindfulness techniques are tools used to bring clients to a better understanding and a more joyful life.
Specialty areas include:
Depression
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Recovery from sexual and/or physical abuse
Special concerns of LGBTQ individuals and couples
Chronic and Terminal Illness
Bereavement