Paula Kettula, LCSW

Paula Kettula, LCSW Paula Kettula, LCSW is the owner of Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services. Paula holds a master's degree in social work from San Diego State University.

We help people heal from traumas, and overcome mental, emotional, psychological and relationship challenges so that you can experience life with joy, connection, empowerment and love. Paula Kettula is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working with children and families for over 20 years. She also has a diploma in Montessori education from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). I

n addition, Paula is a certified yoga teacher (RYT-200) and is trained in EMDR, Sandplay Therapy, Play Therapy and Transformational Leadership. Paula is the creator and the host of a massively successful online parenting summit called “Becoming a Peaceful Parent” that was attended by 31 world renown parenting experts including Dr. Daniel Siegel, Dr. Rick Hanson, Dr. Laura Markham, Debbie Reber and many others. In her role as a psychotherapist and a transformational parent coach, Paula works closely with parents to help them connect with the heart and soul of their children by using a love-centered approach infused with the power of the latest research findings from developmental neuroscience and trauma research. Paula has developed a unique approach to parenting based on a powerful transformational leadership framework which she is using to empower parents to become conscious, confident, and inspiring parents so they can create authentic, connected, and loving relationships with their children.

Feeling constantly “on,” overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode?When your nervous system is under chronic stress, it can...
04/28/2026

Feeling constantly “on,” overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode?

When your nervous system is under chronic stress, it can be hard to feel truly rested — even when nothing is wrong.

Stress Response Reset is a 90-minute therapeutic yoga experience designed to support your body in shifting out of stress and into a more regulated, grounded state.

This is not a fitness class.
It’s a trauma-informed, body-based approach that integrates gentle movement, breathwork, and nervous system education.

📅 May 16, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Hillcrest, San Diego

No prior yoga experience required.
Limited to 6 participants to keep the space supportive and intentional.

Learn more and reserve your spot:
👉🏼 https://www.paulakettulalcsw.com/The-Stress-Response-Reset

We all know that change is part of life, but it's often one of the most difficult aspects to accept.Change is unknown, m...
03/31/2026

We all know that change is part of life, but it's often one of the most difficult aspects to accept.

Change is unknown, makes us uneasy and insecure about how things will be in the future. Even when change is for the better, like a new job, a new relationship, or an addition to your family, it is normal to feel nervous about it.

This is why our second-to-last Living Sati Yoga class, before our pause, is an invitation to gently explore how we meet change in our lives.

Through slow, breath-led movement and mindful awareness, we’ll practice softening resistance and moving with greater ease, flexibility, and openness.

As Living Sati Yoga prepares to pause, we invite you to come together in community — one more time.

🧘‍♀️ Flow Into Change Vinyasa
📅 Wednesday, April 1
🕡 6:30–7:30 PM
✨ Free Community Class

👉 Save your spot in MindBody or ClassPass

Mindbody link 🔗 https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=5746191&stype=-7&sTG=24&sVT=8&sView=week&sLoc...
ClassPass: https://classpass.com/studios/living-sati-yoga-san-diego

Happy Sunday from sunny San Diego ☀️This morning, I was sitting on the beach, watching the sun's rays dance across the w...
03/16/2026

Happy Sunday from sunny San Diego ☀️

This morning, I was sitting on the beach, watching the sun's rays dance across the water's surface.

I felt grateful for the peace in that moment, and I also reflected on how life has its ups and downs... its ebbs and flows...

As I approach my 51st birthday 😳, I still feel like the 12-year-old with wide eyes, curiosity, and a sense of wonder about the world.

What I love about this stage of life is that life experience brings a certain wisdom and perspective.

I have a deeper appreciation for adversity and struggles as I seek to understand what they are here to show me — and to trust that there is something meaningful waiting on the other side of the pain.

I believe this is why it’s important not to get stuck in fear of pain.
Pain can be a wise teacher if we allow it.

When we open our hearts fully to life, the ten thousand joys and sorrows become available as part of this precious human experience.

It all belongs, and I am here for all of it 💛

I love what Thich Nhat Hanh says:

“Whether this moment is happy or not depends on you. It’s you who makes the moment happy, not the moment that makes you happy. With mindfulness, concentration, and insight, any moment can become a happy moment.”

I also wanted to let you know that if you happen to be here in San Diego and feel called to slow down a little, reconnect with your body, and give your nervous system some care, I’m offering a small therapeutic yoga class for stress and trauma recovery at my Hillcrest studio.

It’s a gentle, trauma-informed space where we practice simple movement, breathing, and mindfulness to help the body settle and return to a sense of safety and regulation.

If your nervous system has been carrying a lot lately, this might be a supportive place to pause, reset, and reconnect.

You can learn more here: https://www.paulakettulalcsw.com/The-Stress-Response-Reset

May you all be happy and well 🙏

P.S. I’d love to hear how life is unfolding for you 🙏
What season of life are you in these days?

We are so excited to share that Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services has been recognized as one of the Top 10 businesses i...
03/05/2026

We are so excited to share that Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services has been recognized as one of the Top 10 businesses in the 92103 zip code for 2025, based on verified Google reviews and client satisfaction.

At Porta Verum, we provide compassionate, evidence-based psychotherapy in Hillcrest, San Diego, supporting individuals in trauma recovery, nervous system healing, and lasting emotional well-being.

This recognition reflects the trust our clients place in us, and we are deeply grateful to the San Diego community for allowing us to be part of their healing journeys.

🙏 Thank you to our clients and community for your continued trust and support.

Learn more about Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services: ➡️ https://portaverum.com/

What I’ve noticed over the years is that many people push through stress, hoping one day they’ll finally feel better.🤔 M...
03/01/2026

What I’ve noticed over the years is that many people push through stress, hoping one day they’ll finally feel better.
🤔 Maybe this is you 👇
• You fill the calendar.
• Scroll late at night.
• Have another glass of wine.
• Say, “I’m fine.” — even though you don’t feel like it.
• Keep working. Keep going.
And I get it. I’ve done it too 🙋‍♀️
But the thing is… your stress response doesn’t turn off just because you power through it!
Your nervous system doesn’t respond to willpower. It responds to safety. 🌿
When stress stays activated, it can show up as anxiety, tension in your body, poor sleep, irritability, or feeling disconnected from yourself.
I’m offering a trauma-informed therapeutic yoga experience designed to help you restore your body’s natural state of regulation — and gently shift from survival mode into calm, resilience, and lasting well-being.
This class is about helping your body remember how to settle — releasing tension, building regulation skills, and creating real steadiness. ✨
If you’ve been carrying a lot lately, maybe this is your sign to stop pushing — and start supporting your nervous system instead. 🤍
Consider this your invitation to give your nervous system the care and steadiness it deserves.
Click here to learn more and reserve your spot:
🔗 https://www.paulakettulalcsw.com/The-Stress-Response-Reset

02/16/2026

Here's one of the hardest truths about relationships:
Arguments are rarely about the situation itself.

They’re about our wounds — and a quiet wish that our partner would help heal them.

The next time conflict rises, try stepping outside the argument.

Ask yourself what part of you feels hurt, unseen, or afraid.

Amazing relationships don’t just happen. We make them amazing by nurturing ourselves and each other.

If this resonates and you’re ready to break the cycle of the same argument on repeat, couples therapy can help.

At Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services in San Diego, we help couples build healthier communication and secure connection.

Learn more here 🔗 https://portaverum.com/

💌 Share this with someone you love.


🔄 Rewire Loneliness Into Belonging at Living Sati Yoga Feeling lonely even when you’re surrounded by people?Trouble slee...
02/15/2026

🔄 Rewire Loneliness Into Belonging at Living Sati Yoga

Feeling lonely even when you’re surrounded by people?
Trouble sleeping...
Anxious thoughts that won’t slow down...
Tension that never quite leaves your body...
Wanting connection… but not knowing where to find it...

Your nervous system may be stuck in stress mode.

💕 This Valentine’s Day, make a date with your nervous system.

Living Sati Yoga is a hidden gem in the heart of Hillcrest — where yoga becomes awareness in motion.

Unlike traditional yoga, we don’t push for perfection. We guide you to calm your thoughts, relax your body, and reconnect through breath-led, accessible classes.

We offer deep nervous system healing — without needing to be “good at yoga.”

When your nervous system is regulated, everything shifts:
✔️ Sleep that actually feels restorative
✔️Anxious thoughts that lose their grip
✔️Physical tension melting away
✔️Showing up more present in your relationships
✔️Finally feeling like you belong somewhere

💚 Love Your Nervous System – 3-Class Reset

Three 60-minute classes designed to calm your body, reconnect you to community, and give you tools you can use in daily life.

✅ 3 Living Sati Yoga classes + tea after each one
✅ $63 total ($21/class | Regular drop-in $25)
✅ Valid through the end of March
✅ No long-term commitment — just a supportive container for consistency
🎁 Bring a friend to one class — FREE
🅿️ 2-hour parking validation included

Sign-up now ➡️ https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=5746191&stype=41&sTG=24&prodId=100023

Special Closes Wednesday, February 18 at 9 pm PT.





01/07/2026

I was in a car accident that changed everything. Yoga wasn’t just exercise—it was my way back to life.

When my yoga teacher’s studio closed, I couldn’t imagine losing her… so I hired her.

That’s how Living Sati Yoga was born.

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, feeling disocnnected from yourself and others, or experiencing pain in your body, this might be what you’ve been looking for.

✨ Classes happen every Monday & Wednesday @ 6:30pm in Hillcrest (San Diego)

💫 First class is FREE

⏰ How to book
➡️ MindBody Explore (or App): https://www.mindbodyonline.com/explore/locations/living-sati-yoga
➡️ ClassPass:https://classpass.com/studios/living-sati-yoga-san-diego

12/28/2025

Can I share something that might resonate?

If you’ve been feeling like something is “off” but can’t quite put your finger on it…
If you’ve tried yoga, meditation, or all the “self-care” things and they haven’t really helped…

Your nervous system might be stuck in survival mode.

Here are 5 signs:

• You feel anxious even when nothing is “wrong”
• Your mind races at night but you’re exhausted during the day
• You’ve tried yoga but left feeling more stressed or “not good enough”
• You hold tension in your jaw, shoulders, or hips no matter how much you stretch
• You feel disconnected from your body — like you’re just going through the motions

If 3 or more sound familiar, please know: it’s not your fault — and there is a different way.

Traditional yoga classes can unintentionally trigger the nervous system when they’re too fast-paced, performance-focused, or not trauma-sensitive.

As an LCSW and yoga teacher, I created Living Sati Yoga for people whose bodies need something different.

✨ Slow, breath-led movement
✨ Trauma-sensitive cues
✨ Accessible options for every body

📍 Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 PM
📍 Hillcrest, San Diego
🍵 Tea & community connection after every class

🎁 Your first class is FREE — book here:
🔗 Mindbody: https://www.mindbodyonline.com/explore/locations/living-sati-yoga
🔗 ClassPass: https://classpass.com/studios/living-sati-yoga-san-diego

Which of these signs resonates most with you?
Comment below or send me a message if you’d rather share privately 💚

You deserve to feel at home in your body.

12/26/2025

You're the one people call when they need help.

The responsible one. The reliable one. The one who has it all together.

Except you don't. You're exhausted.

You do everything right and still feel like you're never enough.

If you're a high-achiever tired of holding it all together, Dora Daniels, LMFT, can help!

Dora Daniels is a licensed therapist with Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services in California. She works with people who've been strong for everyone else and are ready to move from exhaustion to ease.

In therapy with Dora, you don't have to perform. You can rest.

🎥 Curious about working with Dora Daniel, LMFT? Whether you’re just exploring options or looking for the right fit, we’re here to help.

💬 Have a question or want to learn more? Send us a message — we’re happy to connect 🔗 https://bit.ly/DoraDaniels

🗓️ Feeling ready? Book a free consultation here ➡️ https://forms.gle/nhQTSEJLtwEy8Mmm9

📞 Prefer to speak directly?
You can call or text 619-837-2463 or email clientcare@portaverum.com — we’re happy to help.

12/24/2025

You were taught to work hard. To be grateful. To not complain.

And you are. You do.

But somewhere along the way, "work hard" became "never rest." "Be grateful" became "don't ask for help." And "don't complain" became "don't feel."

If cultural pressure and perfectionism have shaped how you see yourself—and you're ready to build something gentler - Dora can help.

Dora Daniels is a licensed therapist with Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services in California. Dora works with people, transforming cultural expectations and perfectionism into calm, confidence, and self-compassion.

You don't have to earn rest. You deserve it simply by being human.

🎥 Curious about working with Dora? Whether you’re just exploring options or looking for the right fit, we’re here to help.

💬 Have a question or want to learn more? Send us a message by clicking on this liunk 🔗 https://bit.ly/DoraDaniels

🗓️ Feeling ready? Book a free consultation here ➡️ https://forms.gle/nhQTSEJLtwEy8Mmm9

📞 Prefer to speak directly?
You can call or text 619-837-2463 or email clientcare@portaverum.com

12/22/2025

You don't have to wait until things get worse.

You don't have to have all the answers before you reach out.

You don't even have to know exactly what's wrong.

If you're feeling tired, stuck, or just unsure where to start—that's enough.

Dora Daniels is a licensed therapist with Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services in California. She helps people take the first step, even when they're not sure what that step is.

🎥 Curious about working with Dora Daniels, LMFT? Whether you’re just exploring options or looking for the right fit, we can get you started!

💬 Have a question or want to learn more? Please send us a message using this link 🔗 https://bit.ly/DoraDaniels

🗓️ Feeling ready? Book a free consultation here ➡️ https://forms.gle/nhQTSEJLtwEy8Mmm9

📞 Prefer to speak directly?
You can call or text 619-837-2463 or email clientcare@portaverum.com — we’re happy to help.

Address

3911 5th Avenue, Suite 208
San Diego, CA
92103

Telephone

+16195775057

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Paula Kettula, LCSW posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Paula Kettula, LCSW:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category