Yanela Stephenson
Travel, culture, and meaningful connection have shaped much of my life. I’ve completed two spiritual pilgrimages, one in Spain and one in Italy, that challenged me physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and continue to influence the way I show up in my work. My passion for personal development and spirituality guides both my life and my clinical practice. I believe that true emotional well‑being is supported by a strong spiritual foundation, especially in times of uncertainty.
I’ve completed two spiritual pilgrimages, one in Spain and one in Italy, that challenged me physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and continue to influence the way I show up in my work.
In my 35 years of experience, I worked with individuals, couples, adolescents, and families through a compassionate, integrative lens. My background includes Systems and Family Therapy, Psychodynamic work, Problem‑Solving approaches, EMDR, and Trauma‑Informed care. My goal is to help clients cultivate clarity, resilience, and a deeper sense of inner peace.
First session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. I will invite you to share what brings you to therapy and listen carefully to your concerns, experiences, and goals. This is a supportive, judgment-free space where you can begin telling your story at your own pace. You will complete an intake questionnaire that helps me gain a clearer understanding of your background, current challenges, and areas of concern. Together, we will begin identifying patterns, clarifying priorities, and outlining meaningful goals for our work. By the end of the session, we will collaboratively develop an initial treatment plan that provides direction and focus, while remaining flexible to your evolving needs.
Strengths
What stands out about my approach is the depth of understanding I bring to both the person and the complexity of their experience. I thoughtfully integrate multiple therapeutic methods, balancing reflection with practical strategies. Clients frequently share that they feel genuinely heard, supported, and empowered to move forward with renewed confidence and resilience.
Ideal clients
I work best with individuals and families who sense there is “more” beneath the surface of their struggles. You may feel overwhelmed, disconnected, grieving, anxious, or unsure of who you are becoming. You may be functioning well outwardly while inwardly carrying emotional weight. Through a blend of psychodynamic exploration and spiritual integration, we look beyond symptoms to understand the deeper story shaping your experiences. This process is particularly effective for adolescents and adults facing depression, anxiety, loss, trauma, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. My goal is to help you reclaim your voice, redefine your identity, and move forward with greater emotional freedom and grounded confidence.
Treatment methods
Eclectic
This therapeutic style is usually utilized by a therapist with strong, and extensive training in different modalities who can shift approaches as needed based on the presentation of the client. In my case, I have experiences in somatic work, Meditation/Ericksonian Hypnosis, Reiki, energy work and spiritual, faith based therapy in addition to cultural sensitive therapy.
Family Therapy
Systems Therapy allows me to view the individual within their environment taking into consideration their gender, cultural, language, social , economic, spiritual and financial aspect of their lives providing a full and well-rounded history .
Psychodynamic
Client-Centered Therapy allow the viewing of relationship between the conscious- unconscious and subconscious mind. Through this approach the individual is assisted in exploring their experiences to make sense of their past and its influences in the present as they choose a new future.
Structural Family Therapy
In Structural therapy the patterns of the interfamily relationships as well as the hierarchical patterns are identify for the re-alignment of the family via boundaries and communication.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), is a wonderful technique designed to access traumatic and overwhelming experiences in a safe and focused manner as it promotes resolution to pending and impactful experiences.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- New JerseyLicense 44SC00269300