Paula Sussman , LCSW

Paula Sussman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 30 years of experience supporting people through personal growth and relationship challenges. She helps clients identify their unique strengths and talents and works to create a mutually satisfying therapeutic relationship in which clients feel empowered to pursue meaningful change and greater well-being.

Her practice draws on a variety of therapeutic approaches that honor each client’s experiences, feelings, and perspectives. She emphasizes the client’s capacity for self-healing and positive change, combining compassion and empathy with a gentle sense of humor to support emotional growth and resilience.

Paula has extensive experience assisting people with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief and loss, life transitions, and caregiver issues. She has a particular interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes a wide array of clients, including those navigating midlife, aging and geriatric concerns, chronic illness or pain, and questions of life purpose and self-worth.

Based in Denver, Colorado, she meets with clients throughout Colorado and offers flexible scheduling. Prospective clients are invited to reach out with questions to determine whether she is the right fit, and she strives to support and empower each person on their journey toward emotional health and well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Paula Sussman uses client-centered therapy to place the client's experience at the center of the work - the therapist listens closely, reflects understanding, and supports self-directed exploration to strengthen self-esteem and emotional insight. Motivational interviewing is used to address ambivalence and build internal motivation for change - it is practical for clients facing difficult behavior shifts, chronic health challenges, or caregiver stress. Solution-focused therapy emphasizes small, concrete steps and existing strengths to move toward achievable goals, which can be especially helpful during life transitions and periods of acute stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. Paula collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds and priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions by video call or phone provide face-to-face connection, while live chat and text-based messaging can fit into busy schedules or caregiving routines. These options help make consistent support more accessible across Colorado and allow therapists and licensed professionals to work with clients in ways that match daily life and changing needs.