Paula Koelbl, LCPC
Individual, Couples, and Family Counselor
Paula Koelbl is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who provides individual, couples, and family therapy for adolescents and adults. She works with clients experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship and communication difficulties, parenting concerns, conflict, and personal development. She is also certified in trauma and relational abuse and has a particular interest in helping individuals heal from narcissistic and emotionally abusive relationships.
Paula earned her B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her M.A. in Counseling from Northwestern University. Her approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding the whole person—not simply treating symptoms.
Paula draws from several evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Therapy, the Gottman Method, and Family Systems Theory. She is particularly interested in attachment, early childhood experiences, and the ways our relationships and life experiences can shape our beliefs, thought patterns, emotional responses, and relationships with others. Understanding these patterns can help clients gain insight into where they came from while developing healthier ways of responding in the present.
Paula also has a strong interest in neurobiology and the connection between the brain, body, relationships, and emotional well-being. She believes psychotherapy can help create new patterns of thinking, responding, and relating as clients develop greater awareness and practice healthier ways of navigating life.
Trauma & Relational Abuse
Paula is certified in trauma and relational abuse and works with individuals who have experienced narcissistic abuse and other forms of unhealthy or emotionally abusive relationships. She helps clients understand the impact of relational trauma, recognize unhealthy patterns, rebuild trust in themselves, establish healthy boundaries, and develop a stronger sense of identity and self-worth.
Her approach recognizes that healing from relational abuse often involves more than simply moving on from a relationship. It can require understanding attachment patterns, trauma responses, learned beliefs, and the ways prolonged relational stress can affect emotional well-being and relationships with others.
A Holistic Approach to Wellness
Paula believes mental and emotional health are closely connected to physical well-being. In addition to her counseling education and experience, she completed the personal training program at Parkland College and is a former Certified Personal Trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She draws on her knowledge of biology, nutrition, physiology, and exercise psychology when appropriate to help clients consider the relationship between physical health and overall wellness.
Christian Counseling
Paula offers Christian counseling for clients who desire to incorporate their faith into the counseling process. She believes spirituality can be an important part of a person's overall health and healing and, when requested by the client, integrates research-based therapeutic interventions with a biblical perspective.
Paula is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the Christian Counseling Network with Focus on the Family. She has also completed the Caring for People God's Way program. These professional affiliations and training reflect her commitment to providing counseling that thoughtfully integrates clinical knowledge with a Christian worldview.
Her goal is to meet clients where they are, providing a safe and welcoming environment in which they can explore their struggles, strengthen their relationships, develop greater self-understanding, and move toward meaningful change.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Paula is passionate about the therapeutic benefits of the human-animal bond. Her English Cream Golden Retriever, Maverick, works alongside her as an animal-assisted therapy dog at the Mahomet clinic. Maverick's calm, gentle nature can help create a welcoming and comfortable environment for clients and can provide opportunities for connection, grounding, emotional regulation, and therapeutic engagement.
Animal-assisted therapy is incorporated into sessions when appropriate and when clients are comfortable with his presence. Maverick is an important part of Paula's holistic approach to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming therapeutic environment.
Paula provides counseling at Two Roads Wellness Clinic in Mahomet.