Hi, I’m Stephanie. I'm a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Michigan. I earned my Masters degree from Spring Arbor University after studying psychology as an undergraduate at Oakland University. For the past seven years I've had the honor of helping people experience a greater sense of peace and fulfillment by learning to build trust with themselves.
In our first session together we’ll begin by getting to know each other a bit and and then start exploring the issues or set of circumstances that brought you to therapy. Yes, this can absolutely be a "word vomit" if that's what you need. My ultimate goal will be to gain an accurate understanding of your struggles and what you hope to achieve through therapy, but this can take more than one session. Don't feel like you need to be prepare a clear and concise verbal presentation or even be able to clearly identify these things right off the bat. We'll get there. My immediate goal is simply that you feel comfortable and heard.
My greatest strengths are empathy and a non-judgmental listening ear. Beyond those, I am skilled at helping clients to harness their own unique talents, abilities, and resources to improve their sense of mental and emotional wellbeing.
I take a strengths-based, person-centered approach to therapy. My practice is guided by the belief that people are naturally resourceful, resilient, and capable of generating solutions to their own problems when allowed to do so in a safe, supportive environment. I hold fast to the the Rogerian principles of empathy, genuine relationship, and unconditional regard for the client. Within this framework, I also use a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other evidenced-based techniques such as to help clients achieve their desired outcomes.