Bio
Paula Buford, an ordained minister, holds an M.Div. from Southwestern Seminary and a Th.D. from Columbia Seminary in pastoral counseling. A fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, Paula has been in the field of pastoral care and counseling since 1980. She has worked as a chaplain in hospitals, alcohol and drug treatment center, as an army reserve chaplain, as well as doing short and long-term pastoral counseling / psychotherapy. She has had many years of individual and group supervision on her work and had been in training psychotherapy to support her own journey toward wholeness and to better understand the process how healing and change occur.

Specialties
Individuals and support/therapy groups, women, adult children of alcoholics, persons who have experienced trauma in their families of origin and personal relationships, persons with disability/chronic/terminal illness, caregivers of aging parents, personality and mood disorders, life transitions, loss and grief, and spiritual companionship. I am open to offering services to address current needs in our community that aren't being addressed.

Fees
$100/session (sliding fee scale); insurance is not accepted

Session times
Mostly in the late afternoons and evenings; by appointment only.

Contact
(404) 299-5956 or email

Pastoral Counseling and the Therapy Process
Therapy is a professional, healing relationship in which the counselor and client work together in a confidential process toward more wholeness and emotional, spiritual, and physical health. Pastoral counseling integrates psychology, faith, theology, and behavioral sciences to help promote healing of mind, body, and spirit. Pastoral counselors respect persons' values and beliefs and do not discriminate against persons based on their race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or physical ability. Pastoral counselors work with persons who have no religious affiliation and practices as well as those who are active in traditional religious groups.

There are many reasons why persons chose to enter therapy: life education and enrichment, family and marital consultation, addiction, depression and suicidal thoughts / plans, anxiety, fear, self defeating relationship patterns, low self esteem, history of abuse and trauma, life phase crisis, loss and grief, life transitions, vocational crises, disability and poor health, underlying medical conditions which cause or exacerbate depression, fatigue, and a spiritual crisis. You may be bringing several of these issues into treatment or only be aware of a general unhappiness for which you have little understanding. The therapy process requires hard work, courage, and honesty of the counselee and the therapist, and healing can take time. Because therapy involves a healing relationship and different goals, it is tailored for each person.

For more information about the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and to find a counselor in your area, please visit www.aapc.org .