Paula Coutinho

Paula Coutinho is a mental health clinician, instructor, and researcher with over 20 years of clinical experience in mental health, social services, and educational settings within both the public and private sectors. She provides individual and family therapy and clinical supervision to master's-level graduate students and participates on doctoral dissertation committees, where she serves as either chair or reader. Paula has worked on several research projects, including qualitative dissertations and projects, focusing on critical literature analyses, program development, and evaluations. Her research interests include mental health stigma, eating disorders, addictions, developmental disorders (such as ADHD), technology, mental well-being, and spirituality.

Paula has successfully collaborated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including neurodivergent individuals, immigrants, BIPOC communities, LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals, and those with developmental and physical disabilities. As an equity-seeking ally with lived experience, she understands the importance of emotional, physical, and environmental safety as foundations for collaboration and the co-creation of an inclusive therapeutic and learning environment.

She approaches her work with enthusiasm, a strong commitment, and a team-focused mindset, aiming to support both personal and professional growth. Paula works closely with each individual to maximize their strengths, identify areas for development, foster collaboration, and achieve meaningful goals using various evidence-based approaches.

Paula earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology while playing tennis in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), receiving an all-star award in 2004. She obtained her master’s degree in counselling psychology from Adler University in Vancouver in 2009 and completed her doctoral degree in counselling and psychological studies from Regent University in 2022. She is registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).

Clinical Supervision

  • Integrating Theoretical Approaches into Clinical Practice and Skills

  • Ethics and Professional Conduct

  • Self-Reflection and Well-being for Therapists

  • Professional Development and Career Guidance

Approaches

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Humanistic Therapy

  • Family Systems Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

  • Person-Centred Therapy

  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

  • Somatic Therapy

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Areas of Practice

  • Stress (Work, Academic, General)

  • Anxiety, Depression and Mood Disorders

  • Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Executive Functioning Including Procrastination, Time Management, and Sleep Hygiene

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Eating Disorders, Body Image and Disordered Eating

  • Identity Development, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

  • Perfectionism

  • Guilt or Feelings of Worthlessness

  • Performance-Related Issues: Eating Disorders, Motivation, Confidence, Concentration, Focus, Injury and Rehabilitation, and Career Transitions.

Family and Relationships

  • Relationship Pressures, Bullying and Breakdowns

  • Communication Problems

  • Grief, Loneliness and Social Isolation

  • Parenting and Co-parenting

  • Trust or Intimacy Issues

  • Self and identity

  • Low self-esteem and self-worth

  • Life Transitions

  • Grief, Bereavement

  • Life transitions (e.g., Divorce, Career Change, Immigration)

  • Career, Work Issues, Burnout

  • Chronic Illness and Pain Management

  • Substance-Related and Behavioural Addictions

Alcohol Use Disorder and Nicotine/Tobacco Use Disorder

  • Gambling Disorder

  • Internet Gaming Disorder

  • Social Media Addiction

  • Pornography/Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder

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