We Promote Growth and Change in the Community
When completing my doctoral degree at Walden University, school administrators and professors emphasized the importance of using what I learned to effect positive social change in my community. Within the context of my research I was required to outline my plans to make a difference in my community, in my profession, and in the world. The experience at Walden University reminded me of what I’d been taught as a child….to whom much is given, much is required. This means we are held responsible for what we have. If we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, etc., it is expected that we use it help others.
True to what I promised family and friends who have supported and encouraged me throughout my journey….true to what I promised Walden University….I use me research, Assessing the Competency of Bachelor-Level Behavioral Health Professionals: Implications for Training or Supervision? My research looks at bachelor-level qualified mental health professionals and compares their competency to serve clients with the competency of masters-level and doctoral-level clinicians. The results showed that masters-level clinicians sometimes do not feel any more competent to treat clients than bachelor-level qualified professionals. Towards establishing a more competent behavioral health workforce, I am committed to educating, training, and supervising new clinicians, so that people who are hurting can get the help they need. Additionally, I speak to people experiencing a mental health disorder, about what to expect from a treatment provider. Hence, educating and training laypersons, qualified professionals, and clinicians on psychotherapy or supportive counseling; and providing education about mental illness is what I do ‘in and for’ the community, to facilitate change and growth.
Secondly, I have a passion for marriage and family. My husband and I provide pre-marital counseling using a spiritual curriculum, outside of the practice. I do not currently offer couples therapy. I am in training/learning to provide marriage therapy from a clinical perspective. However, I have been providing family therapy with family regarding issues related to the whole family or at least the child(ren), for the last 15 years. I believe the ole’ adage that family is the foundation of society. Hence, I teach families the skills needed to live happy, healthy lives.
I hope that as you work on your issues, you will reach back and grab someone’s hands and make a difference in their life; a difference in your community, a difference in your profession; or, a difference in the world.
Dr. Paula S. Newman, Owner/Licensed Professional
Dr. Paula S. Newman
Dr. Paula Newman partnered with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Chapel Hill, NC, and NAMI to share information with the community about the cultural nuances of being 'Black and Mentally Ill'.
Paula S. Newman, Ph.D., LCMHCS, NCC
I am an....
Educational Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, Marriage Educator, Writer, Teacher/Trainer, Researcher, Entrepreneur, Thought Engineer
I love....
•Raleigh, North Carolina. I am a Raleigh, North Carolina native; and, I love the Triangle!
•I am a graduate of East Carolina University and I love the Pirates!
•I love teaching, training, and curriculum development geared toward improving the skills of those working in the behavioral healthcare workforce. Hence, I love all things quality management and quality improvement.
•I love providing individual and family counseling to children and families
•I love serving on the Diaconate ministry and leading the Couples Ministry at Union Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina.
•I enjoy training and supervising other clinicians.
•I enjoy traveling and spending time with my husband.
•I enjoy spending time with and continuing to parent and guide our two adult children.
Speaking Engagements
I am available for workshop presentations, consultations, and speaking engagements. Please feel free to contact me via the contact form on the contacts page, phone call (919-473-9139), or email me at dr.paulanewman@gmail.com.
Most Frequent Presentation Topics
Mental Health Professionals:
•Understanding Clinical Boundaries
•Clinical Supervision
•DSM-5: Diagnosing
•Working with African American Families
•Cultural Competency
•Living with Mental Illness: The Clinician's Perspective
•Tying the Assessment to Treatment
•Crisis Planning and Management
•Quality Management/Quality Improvement
•Are You Choosing the Right Path: Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy?
•Etc.
Churches/Community Agencies:
•Raising Michelles: Etiquette Workshop
•What Kids Need to Succeed: Search Institute
•Tips for Staying Mentally Healthy
•Sanity Tips for Young Working Mothers
•Supporting Our Teens Through Changes, Losses and Transitions
•Self-Esteem Building: Adolescent Girls
•Dating Tips for Teens
•Overcoming Mental Health Stigma in the African American Community
•Etc.
Couples:
•Exploring New Dimensions of Oneness in Marriage
•Reclaiming Our Time
•'Giving You The Best That I've Got
•Making It Last Forever
•Fidelity: Forsaking All Others
•Starting a Marriage Ministry
•Etc.
"Kindness is loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness."
"The highest form of wisdom is kindness."
- The Talmud