Dr. Paula Miley,

DSW, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #116553

Paula (They/Them/She) is a Multi-Race native of South Central Los Angeles, Queer Affirming LMFT and Executive Director of Somatic Healers Collective (SHC). As a clinician, their area of service focuses on providing services to  Multi-Race, Black, Latine, and other melanated folks within the LGBTQIA+ community. As a dedicated leader in somatic based, holistic healing services, they focus their time and energy on challenging systems of harm, specifically those that uphold racism, oppression, and denial of rights for the Queer, Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming communities. As Executive Director of SHC their work has included anti-racism, anti-bias, racial equity, inter-cultural conflict, intercultural development and numerous mental health education workshops across multiple state and community organizations.

Paula is driven by the mental health movement to ensure equitable access to mental health services and reframing resilience as a form of resistance that strengthens individual capacity to continue our collective fight for social justice. They are proud to have founded a small collective of love, the Somatic Healers Collective, which is a growing group of healers committed to body-based offerings such as yoga, meditation, and guided group hikes specifically for folks impacted by systems of harm and those who are doing the work to dismantle them.

They combine their 20+ years as a community counselor with Eastern practices to offer healing through somatic psychotherapy, movement, breathwork, and EMDR. Paula has experience in building healing community partnerships, mental health education, crisis response, curriculum development, and workshops. They began in the mental health field as a volunteer domestic violence advocate with Project Peacemakers in conjunction with the L.A.P.D. as an on-scene crisis counselor in 2000.

They recently completed a Doctorate in Social Work from The University of Southern California.  Paula received their Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and their Bachelor of Science from Cal State Northridge. They are a Clinical Supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California (#116553). They are a certified mindfulness and yoga instructor trained in trauma-sensitive yoga techniques.

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HOW WE WORK TOGETHER

We live in a complex multicultural world, where complexity lies the intersection of our identity as individuals and the systemic challenges many face. I am a mixed-race, gender-fluid therapist, and I believe many factors impact our ability to seek therapy and heal from small and/or complex trauma. I provide queer-affirming therapy and address race-based stress and trauma as applicable.

In taking the step to further your healing journey, we work together to understand the impact trauma has on the body and the false narratives we may have learned in order to cope. Learning ways to manage persistent stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression, low self-esteem, codependency, grief and loss, societal pressures/issues facing our Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQIA+ communities. My approach is one of authenticity. I do my best to work with candor and compassion in every session.  

I have worked with clients who were children, teens or adults facing an array of issues, including those dealing with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, codependency, grief and loss, trauma and/or abuse, relationship struggles, vicarious trauma relating to working with trauma-impacted individuals, and issues pertaining to LGBQIA+ and/or gender identity and transgender transitioning. 

As we now know, the “body remembers” trauma and a part of our work is using somatic practices to understand and release this burden. Using trauma-sensitive yoga, mindfulness, and movement/vocalization exercises, you have the option to learn skills that may increase the ability to self-regulate during distress and strengthen awareness of the mind-body connection. These tools are offered according to your interest and desire to engage with them. 

An additional mainstay trauma treatment tool within my practice is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).  I am trained on and frequently use this technique that is "strongly recommended" by The Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Practice Guidelines and placed in their highest category, “A” for treating trauma.  You can learn more about the practice of EMDR at emdr.com. Although I use many modalities in session, I consistently apply a humanistic psychology framework of unconditional positive regard, placing emphasis on your inherent wisdom and ability to heal.

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