Pauleena Akers

Pauleena Akers is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Georgia with six years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, grief, depression, career uncertainty, and questions about life purpose. Pauleena also lists support for issues like sleep problems, intimacy-related concerns, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and self-esteem.

She began her career after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2014 and then worked as a substance abuse counselor. Pauleena completed a Master of Social Work from Valdosta State University in 2018 and obtained professional licensure as an LCSW in 2022. Her background includes work with at-risk newborns, geriatric clients, and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings.

In sessions she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) along with client-centered and mindfulness approaches. That means she will gently question unhelpful thoughts, offer different ways to look at problems, and use present-focused practices to reduce stress and improve focus. Motivational Interviewing is part of her toolkit when people are sorting through change and deciding what goals matter most.

Pauleena emphasizes practical steps and clear goals rather than quick fixes. She encourages people to work on things like anger management, forgiving past hurts, building self-acceptance, and reducing anxious or depressive symptoms. Conversations are aimed at uncovering what is getting in the way and setting small, achievable tasks.

Outside of practice she is married with two elementary-aged daughters and enjoys travel, reading, outdoor time, and food-centered experiences. She frames progress as steady work over time rather than instant transformation.

Therapeutic approaches and online sessions

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what matters to the person in front of the therapist. It helps people feel heard and clarify their own goals without pushing a fixed agenda. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and uses practical exercises to change patterns that cause distress. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-focused attention and simple practices to reduce rumination and reactivity, which can help with anxiety and sleep problems.

Finding the right mix of these approaches is part of the work. Pauleena will collaborate with each person to decide whether CBT tasks, mindfulness practices, or a client-centered conversation style fits best. That choice is guided by the client’s needs, goals, and preferences rather than a preset program.

The practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy into a busy week and reducing travel time. Because the biography does not list specific session formats, confirm the available options before booking. Many people use online appointments to make it easier to keep regular check-ins, schedule brief follow-ups during the day, or choose sessions that do not require being on camera. These practical choices can help integrate work on stress, life purpose, and mood into everyday routines without promising particular outcomes.