Need help now? See crisis phone numbers

Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you use our links to purchase.

Dr. Paula Ehrmantraut

Therapist

Dr. Paula Ehrmantraut

LCPC, LPC, LPC-MH

South Dakota · 17+ years of experience

Compassionate practical help for life struggles

Continue with Paula

Opens BetterHelp in a new tab. There you can look at online therapy options.

Step 1

  • Person-centered focus
  • CBT and DBT tools
  • Support for addiction

About Paula

Dr. Paula Ehrmantraut helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and addiction find practical steps forward. She also supports concerns related to LGBT issues, adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric concerns, and autism and Asperger Syndrome. Her style aims to be warm and nonjudgmental while focusing on what will make daily life easier.

Dr. Paula uses person-centered conversation to understand what matters most to each client. She mixes that with cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. Dialectical behavior therapy ideas are used when emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills are needed.

Sessions are shaped around real goals, like managing anxiety, reducing substance use, improving communication, or coping with chronic illness and pain. She draws on elements from emotionally-focused and existential approaches when people want to look at meaning, values, or relationship patterns. Plans are practical and adjusted as progress is made.

Paula holds LCPC, LPC, and LPC-MH credentials and brings 17 years of professional experience. She works from South Dakota and speaks English.

Her sessions tend to focus on small daily changes that add up. She invites people to notice one good thing each day and build from there. When someone is ready to begin, she guides them through early steps and ongoing adjustments.

Step 2

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesDepression

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBody imageChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

17+ years

Credentials

Montana, Washington, South Dakota, Utah

Languages

English

Step 3

How Dr. Paula Uses Talk Therapy Online

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person's experience. The therapist follows the client's lead, reflects what she hears, and helps people find their own solutions for problems like anxiety or relationship stress.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses simple exercises and experiments to test unhelpful thoughts and build different responses, which can help with anxiety, depression, and patterns that feed substance use.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) contributes skills for managing intense emotions and tolerating distress. Those skills are useful when someone needs tools for regulation, better communication, or reducing impulsive behaviors.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods together, and adjust the plan based on what helps. This is a collaborative process that evolves over time.

Specific online session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online work helpful because it can make scheduling easier, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when a full session isn't needed. Therapists and licensed professionals can also blend listening, skill practice, and homework to fit everyday life and goals.

Step 4

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?

She supports people working on stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and addictions. Additional areas include LGBT issues, adoption and foster care, aging concerns, autism and Asperger Syndrome, body image, chronic illness and pain, and related topics.

What is her therapeutic style?

Her approach is warm and nonjudgmental and centers on the client. She combines person-centered listening with practical techniques to change thoughts and behaviors.

How much experience does she have?

She has 17 years of professional experience working with people on a wide range of concerns. That experience informs a practical, goal-focused style.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds LCPC, LPC, and LPC-MH credentials and practices from South Dakota.

Which languages are offered and are international clients supported?

Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.

What session formats are available?

The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options with the service before booking.

How is cost handled?

Cost varies by location and therapist arrangement; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Step 5

Your next step

If this is for you

  • Check that the location and license details fit where you live.
  • Write down one or two things you want to talk about.
  • Take your time. You can read other profiles first.

If you are helping someone

  • Read this page together, at a pace that suits them.
  • Ask what they think about this therapist.
  • Let the person make the choice.
Dr. Paula EhrmantrautContinue with Paula