- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- CBT and DBT skills
- Addiction support
About Paula
Dr. Paula Ehrmantraut is an LCPC, LPC, LPC-MH licensed in South Dakota with 17 years of clinical experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship concerns, depression, and issues related to LGBT identity. Sessions are conducted in English and she also accepts international clients.
Paula uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy as one of her stated approaches alongside client-centered work and cognitive behavioral techniques. She focuses on emotions that are hard to name and on patterns that keep people stuck. In practical sessions she helps people identify what they feel, name it, and try small changes to reduce distress.
Her background includes extensive clinical work across a range of concerns such as attachment issues, adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric issues, autism and Asperger syndrome, body image, chronic pain and illness, codependency, and substance use. She also addresses communication problems, commitment and control issues, dependent personality features, and the effects of divorce, separation, or domestic violence.
Therapy sessions combine straightforward skill teaching with a focus on emotions and relationship patterns. Paula draws on cognitive behavioral strategies and dialectical behavior therapy skills when helpful. She encourages practical steps clients can use between sessions to notice progress and reduce setbacks.
To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. Costs vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people identify and name deep emotions and see how those feelings shape everyday interactions. It is often used when relationship patterns or strong emotions are hard to recognize and change.Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what someone is experiencing so they can clarify their own goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical tools to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that keep stress and anxiety active.
Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try techniques, and adjust methods based on what helps. That means sessions can mix EFT with CBT or client-centered techniques when useful.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Therapists and licensed professionals commonly use these practical benefits to help clients apply tools between sessions and keep progress moving forward.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
Montana, Washington, South Dakota, Utah
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship concerns, depression, and LGBT-related issues. Additional areas include attachment, adoption and foster care, chronic illness, and substance use.
What therapeutic approaches does she use?
Her stated approaches include Emotionally-Focused Therapy, client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and existential therapy. She blends these methods to address emotions and behavior patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has 17 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of concerns and populations. That experience informs a practical, skills-focused style in sessions.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LCPC, LPC, and LPC-MH credentials and practices in South Dakota. The profile lists MT LCPC and SD LPC as credential details.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The therapist biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Specific rates depend on the chosen regional fee schedule.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.