Nina B. Paul, Ph.D.

Welcome to my private practice! It can be a big step to seek therapy. Please, explore my website and the services that I offer. Call 650-897-1422 (with HIPPA-protected voicemail) or click the CONTACT button on the top or bottom of this website to send a quick request for scheduling a free 15-minute consultation call. INTRODUCTION I hold a Ph.D. and am a licensed clinical psychologist in California. My time is split between my private practice and my role as a clinical assistant professor within Stanford University’s School of Medicine. I am originally from Berlin, Germany, and trained at the birthplace of psychology, the University of Vienna in Austria, where I earned my Bachelors and Masters. This included a collaboration with the University of Chicago. I completed my doctoral training at the University of Nevada, LV, and Pacific University in Oregon, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University. In addition to providing psychotherapy, I have accomplishments in research, supervision, and teaching. SERVICES I offer state-of-the-art and gold-standard treatments for a wide range of trauma, anxiety, and OCD-related conditions. We are a good match if you seek expert treatment for: - PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder): traumatic experiences such as natural disasters, accidents, sexual assaults, physical assaults, combat, childhood sexual abuse, torture, life-threatening illness, etc. - OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder): obsessions and compulsions related to topics such as contamination, checking symmetry, exactness, "just right", doubt, harm, relationships, morality/religion, existential, etc. - BFRB (Body-focused repetitive behaviors): skin picking, hair pulling, lip biting, etc. - Anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, health anxiety disorder, etc. With a commitment to providing top-tier care, I specialize in delivering therapies supported by robust clinical research, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response/Ritual Prevention therapies (ERP). Treatment duration varies based on the condition and its severity. For instance, a structured 12-session Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) program is available for PTSD, an 11-to-14-session ACT-informed Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT) for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) such as skin picking and hair pulling, and a 16-session program for panic disorder. Treatment length for conditions like OCD and generalized anxiety disorder is personalized according to assessment and progress. Extended support is offered for sustained recovery and well-being. Therapy sessions are tailored specifically to meet your individual needs and preferences. I integrate my published work in cultural considerations, such as ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, religion and spirituality, military background, and disability. I offer therapy in two languages: English or German. There is a atrong focus on ensuring a personalized and inclusive approach to treatment. MY APPROACH Patients have told me that I am very patient and create a caring and compassionate space. My goal is to help patients find the strength to approach their worries, obsessions, distressing thoughts, fears, and traumatic memories. Exposure research shows that this reduces symptoms over time. One of my primary values as a therapist is it to be a guide, equipping patients with a diverse toolkit of techniques and skills to navigate their challenges. This includes teaching them to flexibly challenge thoughts or defuse from them, practice acceptance of avoided or difficult emotions, learn mindfulness practices to stay centered in the present rather than being pulled by one’s mind into the past or future, and define personal values to build a meaningful and fulfilling life. Furthermore, I see myself as my patient's biggest cheerleader, fostering self-awareness, self-compassion and kindness, and confidence to let go of self-blame or stressful expectations. I hold the view that life is a tapestry of tragic, anxious, joyous, and hopeful moments, with everything in between. I frequently establish rapport with clients by sharing humor, fostering a balanced environment that enables us to laugh and have fun while also engaging in meaningful discussions about challenging topics with sincerity and depth. I genuinely love being a psychologist, sitting down with patients for a session. I work best with patients who are willing to work in session and outside of session. I am looking forward to meeting you and embarking on a journey of healing and growth. STARTING THERAPY I offer a free 15-minute consultation call to decide if the services I offer are a good match for your needs and preferences. Simply call 650-897-1422 (with HIPPA-protected voicemail) or click the CONTACT button on top and bottom of this website to request a free consultation call. Session fees are self-pay, but a superbill can be provided to submit to insurances for potential out-of-network coverage. Fees for therapy are competitive and commensurate with other providers in the Bay Area offering similar doctoral-level expertise and services.