Meet Gwen Paulson, LCSW

Gwen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Birth Doula, Reiki provider, and Mom. Her academic and professional focus has been women’s health and wellness for over a decade. She incorporates knowledge and experienced wisdom to her passion for supporting with birthing parents and families.

Gwen received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the University of Mary Washington in 2010 and went on to complete her Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Gender Violence Intervention in 2012. While working as an Advocate and Counselor for a community nonprofit supporting survivors of sexual and domestic violence, she observed a pattern of women who were pregnant and parenting whose past experiences were impacting their birth and the transition into parenthood. Gwen sought to deepen her skillsets for these persons and completed her Birth Doula Training with DONA in 2015 and has continued to provide trauma-informed birth support. While consulting on the mental health needs of pregnant and parenting women, Gwen identified the importance of perinatal mental health, support both during pregnancy and in the transition to parenthood, and completed trainings with Postpartum Support of Virginia in 2019 and became a volunteer and support group facilitator for PSVA. Then in 2020 the progression of the pandemic proved a rise in maternal mental health needs with limited support, calling her to complete both comprehensive and advanced trainings in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International, of which she is a member. She created Mindful Mama to enhance mental health care for all mamas, provide education and resources, and empower mamas in their parenting journey. 

As a Counselor and Birth Worker, she has integrated her training and experience as a Birth Doula with her clinical focus of trauma recovery and perinatal mental health in her approach to supporting women and families during the family planning time. ​ 

Gwen’s clinical approach incorporates narrative therapy, trauma focused-CBT, mindfulness, and somatic awareness. She values the mind-body connection in the healing process and integrates a wholistic approach to her practice. ​