About Me

The Heart of the Matter

At the beginning of each semester at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, at least one professor would ask every student:

“Why do you want to enter this field?”

My answer changed each semester. But the one that stands out the most was something like this:

“I’ve been through so much pain in my life. There is so much pain in the world. I want to help people find the strength and hope to get through it.”

If you asked me today why I’m a counselor, I’d probably say something similar. Over the years, I’ve been blessed with a solid education, incredible mentors, and diverse experiences in the field of social work. Through it all, I’ve learned that for help to be truly effective, it must be:

✅ Real and practical – Offering solutions that genuinely help people in their daily lives.
✅ Authentic and compassionate – Because healing happens in the context of trust and connection.
✅ Knowledgeable and adaptable – Bringing the right tools for each unique situation.

This is who I strive to be.

The Specifics

I have spent the last 25 years working in the substance use and mental health field. My journey began with a volunteer year in the beautiful town of Clevedon, North Somerset, England.

In 2009, I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Connecticut.
In 2011, I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Between my time in England and completing my MSW, I worked in case management, inpatient care, outpatient care, and intensive outpatient programs.

Leadership & Clinical Work

In 2012, I became the Clinical Director of a behavioral health agency that served nearly 1,000 clients per year. In this role, I:

✔ Developed programs and oversaw their implementation.
✔ Supervised program directors and licensed clinicians.
✔ Coordinated care with agencies such as DCF and Adult Probation.
✔ Provided clinical supervision to students and emerging professionals.

While I loved shaping programs and mentoring clinicians, by 2014, I realized that my passion lay elsewhere. I wanted to step away from administrative work—the never-ending paperwork and phone calls—and return to what I loved most: working directly with people.

So, in September 2014, I launched Paul J. Mahler, LCSW, LLC, where I focus on:

🔹 Counseling individuals, couples, and families.
🔹 Providing clinical supervision to students and professionals seeking licensure or skill development.

My Approach to Counseling

ADHD Coach Jeff Copper once said that his success comes from identifying the last time a client succeeded at something they wanted to accomplish—then helping them reproduce the ingredients that led to success.

My philosophy as a counselor is similar:

✨ Honor and strengthen what’s already working.
✨ Identify struggles and equip clients with new strategies and tools.
✨ Adapt to each client’s needs rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

While some counselors specialize in just one type of therapy, I prefer to carry a large toolbox—helping each client find the right tools for their unique challenges.

No two journeys are the same, and healing isn’t about a rigid formula. It’s about discovering what works best for you and walking that path together.

I am blessed to be married to a beautiful and courageous woman, Michele, who has fought a long battle against Lyme disease with incredible strength. She is not only an advocate for her own health but also a dedicated caregiver for our daughter, Morgan, who has faced chronic health challenges for the past ten years.

Michele manages billing and administrative work for my practice while also working full-time as a billing collector for a medical practice. Despite her demanding schedule, she always finds time to support our family and bring joy into our lives.

Whenever possible, we escape into nature—walking, photographing birds, and exploring Connecticut’s landscapes. Every photograph on this website is our own, captured during our adventures. Since August 2021, Michele and I have documented over 275 bird species across Connecticut, and we are always on the lookout for more.

Our daughter, Morgan, is my hero. Though her health often prevents her from joining us on birding trips, she is quickly becoming a bird expert in her own right. She has an incredible sense of humor and never fails to keep me on my toes—I give her plenty of material to work with!