Paula Knighton, LPC

Paula Knighton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Virginia with 25 years of clinical experience. She focuses on practical ways to reduce stress, manage anxiety, and address addictions while supporting people through depression, grief, and life transition challenges. Her work also includes concerns such as sleep problems, parenting strain, anger, and issues tied to mood and attention.

Paula aims to build a comfortable space for people to talk through hard things without judgment. She listens for what matters most to each person and helps set straightforward goals. Sessions use everyday language and concrete steps so progress feels clear.

Her approach blends several well-known methods. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people live around difficult feelings, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change unhelpful thought patterns, and Client-Centered Therapy to keep the person’s perspective central. Motivational Interviewing comes into play when someone needs help finding momentum for change.

Paula works with concerns across relationships, addictions, trauma, and chronic stress as well as additional focus areas like aging and geriatric issues, chronic pain and illness, and hoarding. She typically sees clients during evening hours on weekdays and a morning slot on Saturday; lateness of 15 minutes or more requires rescheduling.

To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How therapy approaches guide online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking actions that match their values; it is often used for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like low mood, worry, or sleep problems. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, listening stance where the person’s goals and pace lead the work.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and day-to-day needs and then recommend methods to try. Together they check what feels helpful and adjust the plan over time.

Confirm available session formats before booking because the biography does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so a person can use a break at work or an evening slot. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework to work well over distance, keeping the focus on practical changes that matter in everyday life.