- Stress and anxiety
- Addictions support
- Client-centered work
About Paula
Dr. Paula Ehrmantraut is an LCPC, LPC, and LPC-MH practicing in South Dakota with 17 years of experience. She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, LGBT concerns, relationship issues, and depression. She also addresses adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric issues, attachment concerns, autism and Asperger Syndrome, body image, chronic pain and illness, codependency, and related relationship and behavioral difficulties.
Dr. Ehrmantraut uses straightforward conversation and practical tools in sessions. She draws on client-centered methods to follow what matters most to each person. She also integrates cognitive behavioral techniques to notice patterns of thinking and DBT skills to manage strong emotions and urges.
In practice she helps people learn small, doable skills they can use between sessions. She breaks bigger problems into steps you can try right away. Sessions focus on what is happening now and what you want to change next.
Her background and daily approach reflect many years working with adults who face life transitions and persistent stress. She pays attention to how relationships and past experiences affect current choices. That includes concerns tied to adoption or caregiving and long-term health conditions.
People who meet with her can expect a conversational style that reviews what’s working, what isn’t, and specific skills to try. She helps clients track progress and adjust plans over time. If you want to begin, the process starts with a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a first session.
Sessions are conducted in English, and she accepts international clients. Costs vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
Approaches used in online sessions and how they help
Dr. Ehrmantraut commonly draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in her work. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and following what matters most to the person, helping them name priorities and make decisions. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing different behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood. DBT teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and managing urges, which can be helpful for addictions and intense relationship conflicts.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That means trying strategies, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together over time.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing commute time, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, or removing the need to be on camera if that is preferred. Licensed professionals often use these practical benefits to help clients keep steady progress while managing day-to-day demands.
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 help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, LGBT issues, relationship problems, and depression, plus related topics such as adoption and foster care and chronic illness.
How does she approach someone who feels stuck?
Her style is conversational and practical, using client-centered listening alongside cognitive behavioral and DBT techniques to build skills and break problems into steps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 17 years of experience working with adults on life changes, stress, and relationship concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LCPC, LPC, and LPC-MH credentials and practices in South Dakota.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Costs vary with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.