Wendy Papalcure

Hello, and Welcome to my profile. Reaching out and finding the right therapist is the first step to taking back your life, so let us begin! My name is Wendy Papalcure, I am a Clinical Social Worker ( LCSW) with 25 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate life's most challenging transitions. I have had the privilege of working in diverse clinical settings, including hospitals, community mental health centers, and private practice. I specialize in the complexities of family estrangement, divorce, blending families, and life transitions.

My approach

As a compassionate advocate for mental health, and believe that each person has the capacity to live their best life. I am deeply invested in fostering a safe and nurturing therapeutic environment where my clients feel empowered and motivated to make the changes they deserve. My focus is client-centered, solution-focused, and implementing strength-based modalities that will guide my clients to unlock their full potential and live their life with meaning and purpose. The greatest facilitator of change is not just one specific technique a therapist uses, but the overall quality of the therapeutic relationship that builds on my client's internal strengths.

My focus

Clients come to me who are struggling with the overwhelming mix of grief, confusion, and deep shame of when their child goes no contact. I help parents through the pain of not knowing why their child has chosen to sever ties and many of the deep emotions and decisions a parent has to make that are associated with mourning the loss of a living child and re-creating a life after estrangement. I also support individuals transitioning after divorce. I work with clients who are feeling overwhelmed with what is next rediscovering your sense of self and identifying new goals. Additionally, I work with individuals and couples who are blending their families, guiding them through the challenges of creating unity and understanding in a new family dynamic.

My communication style

When you work with me, I create a safe, judgment-free space where you can be yourself, freely express your feelings, and know that both laughter and tears are welcome. " We know that the therapeutic relationship a therapist forms with each client can be the most powerful tool for change"

My journey to mental healthcare

Throughout my lifetime, both my personal and professional experiences influenced me to this career choice of practicing as a therapist and more specifically specializing in adult child estrangement, divorce, and blended families. When I personally experienced my child estranging, I quickly learned that there were limited resources and support for parents from a therapist who " got it" because they walked the walk. I felt isolated, and alone as I navigated this uncharted emotional tsunami. I realized that there is a shortage of therapists who parents can turn to who have both the professional and personal experience that families look for to help them process the shame, loss, and confusion of this growing trend. What inspires me to do this work is knowing that there is life after estrangement and divorce, and with the right tools and support you can blend your family successfully. Life is full of challenges, but you are not alone and I continue to be motivated by the resilience of my clients, that I witness every day.

My goals for you

I approach goal setting as a roadmap that we create together to achieve your goals both big and small. Together we will create a plan and develop strategies that are achievable, and manageable. Goals are about positive change, learning skills, and figuring out what works and doesn't work.

My first session with you

Coming to your first session is associated with so many different emotions, but you can expect that you will be greeted by a warm, and welcoming therapist, who is here support you during this difficult time in your life. The first session is for us to explore what brought you to therapy, and what your goals are, review some practice policies such as cancelation and no-shows, and for me to learn more about you, and what you hope to achieve from our time together. I will always meet you where you are, and there is no pressure to talk about anything; the timeline is for you to set. The first session is used to build the foundation of the therapeutic relationship.