Pauleena Akers, LCSW, CSW

Pauleena Akers is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who focuses on helping people handle stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, and major life changes. She keeps conversations direct and practical so parents and busy adults can use skills right away. Pauleena aims to help clients reduce anxiety, manage grief, strengthen self-esteem, and address intimacy-related struggles. She blends straightforward talk with goal-setting and gentle challenge. Pauleena asks questions to reveal unhelpful thought patterns and offers alternative ways to think about problems. Sessions often include simple exercises to practice between meetings so progress continues outside the session. Pauleena earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2014 and a Master of Social Work from Valdosta State University in 2018. She began working as a substance abuse counselor in 2015 and pursued clinical social work after that. She holds LCSW and CSW credentials and became licensed in Georgia in 2022. Over six years of clinical experience include work with at-risk newborns, geriatric clients, and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings. That range has shaped a practical, down-to-earth approach to care. Pauleena says therapy is not one size fits all and she adapts methods to each person's needs. Outside of practice she is married and a parent of two elementary-aged children. She enjoys travel, reading, outdoor activities, and trying new foods. Her style is focused on helping people move from surviving to thriving.

How core approaches shape online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's own goals and experiences. The therapist listens closely and follows what matters most to the client, which helps when people want support that fits their life and values.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It uses practical exercises to change unhelpful thinking and build new habits, which can help with anxiety, low mood, and coping with stress.

Finding the right approach is part of working together. The therapist will talk with each person about what they want and try methods that match those goals. Decisions about techniques are collaborative and can change as progress is made.

Confirm the current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, shorten commute time, and allow quick check-ins during a break. It can also let clients use audio-only or video conversations depending on what feels most comfortable and practical for them.