Paula Mainard, LCSW

About Paula

Paula Mainard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Arkansas with over 20 years of experience supporting adoptive families, children, and adults . She is passionate about helping families navigate life transitions, attachment challenges, and developmental concerns in healthy, supportive ways. As a parent of six adopted children, Paula brings personal insight and professional expertise to guide families through complex emotions, fears, and successes.

Paula is a Certified Trauma Professional and specializes in Attachment Theory, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and trauma-informed care . She serves on the None for Nine Task Force , educating about alcohol use during pregnancy, and advocates for early intervention for children as young as 5 to improve long-term outcomes. She also supports families with IEPs, 504 plans, and disability rights , drawing from her experience with DCFS and advocacy work.

She uses a holistic, individualized approach to therapy, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Triumph Parenting . Paula helps clients of all ages, from adolescents to adults, navigate trauma, attachment issues, behavioral challenges, and family dynamics .

Paula also brings specialized experience in alternative lifestyles , including ethical non-monogamy, power exchange dynamics, and polyamorous relationships , creating a safe, affirming, nonjudgmental space for exploration and personal growth.