May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a month dedicated to elevate conversations around mental wellbeing, reduce stigma and promote healing. It’s a call to action — and Paulina Siegel as someone answering that call with purpose and passion.
A Kansas City native and graduate of Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Siegel has always believed in taking an active role in her own mental health. That personal journey inspired her to help others take charge of theirs. She founded Courageous Paths Counseling, a practice specializing in trauma, OCD and anxiety for Generation Z and Millennials.
“I chose this path because I’m deeply committed to helping people navigate life’s most painful moments and find healing through them,” said Siegel, who earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver in 2014. “Early in both my personal and professional life, I saw how deeply mental health influences everything — and how powerful it can be to feel truly supported. I was drawn to this field not only to support others, but because I genuinely believe in the strength of the human spirit.”
Siegel’s approach is rooted in expertise and empathy. She works to meet clients where they are, always holding the belief that healing is possible.
“What I love most about this work is witnessing transformation,” she said. “Watching clients develop insight, learn new tools, and feel relief from struggles that once consumed them — it’s beyond rewarding. I value the trust they place in me, and I’m honored to help them move through trauma, anxiety and OCD with strength and courage.”
Siegel specializes in evidence-based treatments like ERP, EMDR, IFS and mindfulness to help clients break free from patterns that no longer serve them.
“But therapy is more than technique,” she said. “It’s about creating a space where people feel seen, safe and supported. I built Courageous Paths on the belief that healing requires both clinical expertise and deep human connection. I don’t just offer therapy — I create a space where change can truly begin.”
Siegel is also reconnecting with her roots in the Jewish community through her work.
“I’ve always felt a strong connection to the values of resilience, meaning and community within Judaism,” she said. “So much of our experience — historically and personally — involves themes of identity, intergenerational trauma and the tension between tradition and modern life. I’m passionate about creating space for these conversations in therapy.”
She acknowledges that mental health can still carry stigma in faith-based spaces, and she hopes to be part of changing that.
“I want to help bridge that gap by offering care that is not only evidence-based, but also culturally attuned,” Siegel said. “Understanding Jewish identity, history and values can deepen the therapeutic process. My goal is to create a space where Jewish individuals feel fully seen, respected and empowered on their healing journey.”
Above all, Siegel said she is driven by a belief in people’s capacity for change and a commitment to helping them reclaim their lives.
“Seeing someone move from fear and self-doubt to clarity, confidence and freedom — it’s the greatest privilege,” she said. “Healing happens in safe, supportive spaces. My mission is to offer exactly that — a place where growth is possible, pain is met with compassion, and each person’s path forward becomes a little clearer.”
More information about Paulina Siegel and Courageous Paths Counseling is available at courageouspathscounseling.com or (970)591-2315.