About Me

Paul Basenfelder, LCSW

Licensed in PA & CT

‍

Background & Clinical Philosophy

Therapy with high-functioning adults requires more than textbook formulations. Meaningful change happens when clinical rigor meets genuine, unvarnished human understanding.

My path to clinical practice was deliberate. Before completing my Master of Social Work in 2015, I spent nearly two decades working in demanding healthcare settings while completing a degree in philosophy. That dual foundation—grounded physical reality paired with existential inquiry—informs how I practice today. I don’t view clients through a purely diagnostic lens, nor do I reduce complex human struggles to clinical jargon. We look at the actual architecture of your life: the systemic pressures, professional demands, and internalized patterns that drive behavior.

Lived Understanding in Long-Term Recovery

I bring over 28 years of personal long-term recovery to this work.

Navigating demanding professional spaces while confronting substance use, burnout, and compulsive coping requires real honesty. Having lived the reality of long-term sobriety, I offer a grounded, realistic sounding board with zero clinical condescension. I understand the intense pressure to maintain performance while privately managing unsustainable habits, and I know what it takes to rebuild stability without compromising your professional life.

Clinical Approach

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a decade of specialized outpatient experience, my work is informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic insight, and trauma-responsive care.

I do not use manualized scripts, rigid workbooks, or prefabricated clinical tracks. Our sessions are conversational, focused, and intellectually honest. We identify the core drivers beneath the symptoms—perfectionism, avoidance, isolation, and unexamined stress—and work collaboratively to establish clear psychological flexibility, durable boundaries, and lasting traction.

Practice Availability & Scheduling

Sessions are conducted virtually for residents of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, with weekday (daytime and evening) and Saturday morning appointments available to fit demanding executive calendars.