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 each student to share why they wanted to get into the field. My answer changed each semester. The answer I remember best went 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 find some hope to get through it.’
If you asked me today why I’m a counselor, I’d probably say something similar. I’ve been blessed with a good education, some great mentors, and some great experiences in various fields of social work. My own journey taught me that help needs to be ‘real and practical’. The helper also needs to be ‘authentic and compassionate’ as well as knowledgeable. This is who I strive to be.
The Specifics:
I’ve spent the last 25 years working in the substance use and mental health field. It all began with a volunteer year in beautiful Clevedon, North Somerset, England. In 2009, I graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Master’s in Social Work. Then, in 2011, I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Between returning from England and completing my MSW, I worked in a wide variety of settings. These included case management, inpatient, outpatient, and intensive outpatient.
In 2012, I became the clinical director of a behavioral health agency. It saw around 1000 people walk through its doors each year. I developed programs and supervised program directors and licensed clinicians. I coordinated programming with an assortment of state agencies including DCF and Adult Probation. I also supervised students of various levels.
In the summer of 2014, I did some soul-searching. I realized that I needed to step away from the never ending piles of paperwork and unending phone calls. These tasks come with administration and leadership. I wanted to focus on what I loved the most. Thus in September of 2014, Paul J. Mahler LCSW LLC was born and today my work focuses on working directly with individuals, couples, and families. I also provide clinical supervision to students and professional counselors seeking to grow their skills or gain licensure.
ADHD Coach Jeff Copper has said that the secret to his success is finding out the last time a client succeeded in something they wanted to accomplish. Then, he works with the client to reproduce the ingredients that led to success. My philosophy as a counselor is similar. I aim to honor and strengthen what’s working. I also help my clients develop new skills or strategies for the areas where they have struggled. While other counselors may specialize in one type of therapy, I try to carry a large ‘toolbox.’ I want to help clients find the right tools for their unique challenges.
I am married to a beautiful woman named Michele who has fought a courageous battle against Lyme Disease. She is an advocate and caregiver to our daughter who has struggled with chronic health issues for the past 10 years. She does billing and administrative work for the practice while also working as a full-time billing collector for a medical practice. Whenever possible, we are out walking and photographing birds and nature throughout Connecticut. All of the photography on this site is our own. Since August of 2021, we have seen over 275 species of birds in Connecticut.
My daughter, Morgan, is my hero as she fights to get healthy. Although, she usually cannot come out with, she is quickly becoming a bird expert herself. She has a terrific sense of humor and I often give her plenty of ammunition!
I’ll leave you with some photos that Michele and I have taken.
