As a mental and physical health advocate, Paula Carciu is a dedicated mental health counselor. She currently lives in New York with her playful miniature Goldendoodle, Luna.
Tell us the most exciting thing you’ve done in the past 3 years.
Well, this past year has been a big one for me and my career! Before COVID, I was a director at a large health agency. Right when the pandemic hit, I decided to take a leap of faith and leave that agency to start my own private practice. I took a risk and am now working for myself and I can truly say I don’t regret a thing!
What kind of impact have you seen on mental health due to COVID-19?
COVID-19 has impacted everyone very differently. I’ve noticed a lot more people are acknowledging that they struggle with anxiety or depression. That said, many people have also become much more willing to seek counseling because teletherapy is more widely available now than it ever has been!
If your dog could talk, how do you think she’d describe you?
I think Luna would describe me as snoozy, loving, and playful. I love to sleep and Luna loves to cuddle so we get along just great! However, we both have a really playful side and love to get exercise whether it’s weightlifting for me or fetch for Luna!
What’s the most challenging aspect for you about being a pet parent?
To me, the most challenging part of being a pet parent is the communication barrier between Luna and I. Not being able to fully understand everything that goes on with her and trying to figure out what she needs is tough but I am happy to know I’m feeding her right! I try to invest as much time in training as I can and always pay close attention to her body language so we can remain in sync.
