Paula Sands
Paula joined Columbia Health in July 2024. In her clinical work, Paula integrates psychodynamic and feminist lenses to understand the person and the systems they are located within. Paula works to create a safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship as the cornerstone of her work with students. She often pulls aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into sessions.
Prior to Columbia, she worked as a staff psychologist at Stevens Institute of Technology, completed her clinical psychology internship at the University of Memphis, and spent a couple of years as a clinical psychology extern at Wesleyan University. Paula is passionate about student mental health and is interested in working with a variety of student concerns. Paula has experience working with student challenges in adjusting to university life, anxiety, depression, and difficulties with family relationships. Paula has almost 4 years of experience working with students in STEM.
When Paula isn't working you can likely find her reading, fiction or nonfiction, she reads it all. She also enjoys visiting her family back in Michigan, traveling, and enjoying a good meal.