Are you feeling anxious or overwhelmed by the pressures in your life? Do you find yourself exhausted by your efforts to make others happy while losing yourself in the process? Are relationships, parenting, or world events weighing heavily on your mind? Do you need a safe space to explore how to feel happier and at peace in your life? If any or all of those scenarios sound familiar, I'm here to help. :) Hi there! I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience in the counseling field. I hold specialty certifications in trauma and substance abuse, however, I enjoy working with a diverse population of patients. I offer flexible scheduling options to established patients (including evening appointment options). I have served a wide and diverse client base with various treatment concerns including anxiety, depression/mood disorders, traumatic experiences, relationship and peer concerns, grief processing, self-esteem issues, parenting challenges, and life coaching. My counseling style is non-judgmental and supportive. My objective is to support each client in the pursuit of their identified goals and to empower them to live the life they envision for themselves.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

The first session is largely focused on building trust and providing a safe place to express your thoughts and identify the areas for growth. Subsequent sessions are for continued processing, assessing progress, addressing new challenges or concerns, and refining or adjusting treatment goals and interventions as needed. My hope is that you leave each of our sessions feeling better than when you arrived, and with something to reflect on until our next meeting.

What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?

I use a variety of modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Mindfulness practices, and Somatic experiencing exercises.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I believe good communication is a key component in getting your needs met. I encourage clients to ask any questions they have and to clarify or correct me when needed. We work in partnership to help you flourish, and I strive to provide a warm and welcoming environment to achieve that. Focusing on creating a safe and non-judgmental space where you can share and process your emotions allows us to work together to achieve the goals you have for yourself. We are all works in progress, and it takes an immense amount of courage to accept and honor every aspect of growth, no matter how small or hard-won. I look forward to helping you on your journey towards a healthier, happier you!

About Stephanie Gerard, LMHC, NCC, CCTP, MCAP