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Paula Maness

Psy.D.

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Specialties

Anger ManagementAntisocial PersonalityAnxiety DisordersBorderline Personality DisorderChristian CounselingChronic IllnessCodependencyCoping SkillsDepressionDomestic AbuseDual DiagnosisFamily ConflictLife TransitionsMen’s IssuesTrauma/PTSD

Paula Maness is a compassionate, practical, and deeply experienced therapist who specializes in working with older adults, adult children of aging parents, and those navigating chronic illness, pain, or significant life transitions. Her work is grounded in evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She holds a trauma-informed perspective, always prioritizing emotional safety and honoring each individual’s unique story.

Learn more about Paula Maness

What I enjoy most about working with older adults is their honesty. They don’t have time for fluff—and I respect that. Whether they’re telling me about the love of their life or the best way to cook a pot roast, I get to witness real wisdom wrapped in humor, heartache, and grit. There’s something sacred about helping someone reflect on where they’ve been while still holding hope for where they’re going. I always say, just because there’s snow on the roof doesn’t mean the fire’s gone out.

Online therapy can be surprisingly effective for older adults—especially when it removes the stress of traffic, bad weather, or having to “get up and go” when bodies don’t always cooperate. Once we get past the tech hiccups (and we will get past them), it often becomes a safe, cozy space to talk from the comfort of home. I’ve had folks open up more freely from their favorite recliner than they ever would in a formal office. It’s not about the screen—it’s about the connection, and that still translates loud and clear.

I approach therapy like a conversation with a purpose. I’m not here to analyze you with a clipboard—I’m here to walk beside you and help make sense of the hard stuff. Some days that means deep reflection, other days it means sharing a laugh to break the tension. I use evidence-based tools like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps us focus on what really matters to you, even when life gets messy. I also take a trauma-informed approach, which means I’ll always honor your story and your safety first. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and never judged. We’ll take it at your pace, one honest moment at a time.

My advice? Don’t worry about doing it “right.” Therapy isn’t a performance—it’s a process. You don’t have to have the perfect words, the full story, or even know exactly what you’re feeling yet. Just show up. We’ll figure it out together. It’s normal to feel nervous or unsure in the beginning, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you’re brave enough to try.

One thing I always tell new clients: therapy is different from talking to a friend. Your friends might mean well, but they often jump in with advice or their own stories. In therapy, it’s all about you—your voice, your experience, and your healing. And if you’ve been carrying heavy things for a long time, we’ll go gently. You don’t have to spill it all at once. Just start where you are, and we’ll go from there.

Therapists Who Understand Aging

Have Hope After Three Sessions

After three sessions a majority of clients have hope that their situation is improving.

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YOUR THERAPIST IS A CLICK AWAY

Start Your Journey Towards Better Health 

This image depicts a simplified illustration of an older woman with gray hair and glasses, wearing a coral-colored top. She is holding a laptop in one hand, which displays the "Total Life" logo on the screen. With her other hand, she is pointing toward the laptop. The setting includes a desk with a coffee cup, a stack of books, and a small plant, suggesting a comfortable work or learning environment. The overall design is lighthearted and engaging, with a focus on technology and accessibility for seniors.
This image shows a step labeled as "1" in a process, with the number enclosed in a coral-colored circle followed by the text "SIGN UP" in dark green. The design is simple and clean, emphasizing the first step of a sign-up process. The combination of colors—coral for the number and dark green for the text—creates a clear and professional visual hierarchy.

Reach out to us through our website or by phone. We’ll verify your Medicare coverage to see if you qualify for free therapy sessions.

This image shows an illustrated older woman with gray hair tied in a bun and glasses, wearing a coral-colored top. She is seated at a desk, working on a laptop. A speech bubble next to her shows an image of a tablet with a download arrow, indicating a focus on technology or app downloads. The scene suggests that the woman is engaged in a digital activity, promoting ease of use or the process of downloading an app or document. The illustration is light and approachable, emphasizing technology use for seniors.
This image displays the second step in a process. A coral-colored circle contains the number "2," followed by the text "FIND YOUR MATCH" in dark green. The design is minimalistic and clear, highlighting the importance of finding a suitable match as part of the process. The coral circle and dark green text provide contrast and make the step visually distinct and easy to follow.

After discussing your needs, we recommend one of our experienced therapists and schedule your first appointment.

This image features an illustrated older woman with gray hair, wearing a coral-colored top with a white collar, sitting at a desk in front of a laptop. She is smiling and appears to be engaged in a virtual conversation. A thought bubble next to her shows a video call screen with a male doctor or professional, wearing a white coat, indicating that she is in a telehealth or online consultation session. The overall scene conveys a sense of ease and comfort with using technology for health-related or professional consultations.
This image shows the third step in a process. A coral-colored circle contains the number "3," followed by the text "START YOUR JOURNEY" in dark green. The design is simple and clear, indicating the final step where the user begins their experience or service. The use of coral and dark green creates a visually appealing contrast, making the step easy to recognize and follow.

On the scheduled date of your session, your therapist will contact you via phone or video call to begin working on resolving your issues and improving your well-being.

Therapists Who Understand Aging

See Change After Six Sessions

After six sessions a majority of clients have reflected that actual change occured.

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