I am a young, energetic, and creative therapist passionate about meeting with people to bring more clarity, peace, and joy into their life. I am also a Christian, mother, cat-mom, artist, athlete, amateur cook/baker, and book enthusiast. I utilize a mixture of evidence-based practices and creative exercises to meet people where they are at, develop a deep understanding of their circumstances as well as how they are thinking about those circumstances. I guide my client to setting specific intentions for our time together that they agree will be worthwhile. I will be warm and understanding, but I am also not afraid to challenge my clients on things that could benefit from changing. I often enjoy using a humor and laughter as a force for that change. I have experience serving in a private practice outpatient capacity, intensive outpatient hospital setting, and at the residential level of care. These unique settings have given me a variety of skills and an ability to understand multiple levels of distress or have a grasp of what past treatment may have been like for my clients (the good, the bad, and the ugly.)

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

In our first session, you can expect me to ask you "What do I need to know in order to be of use to you?" I will collect information that you deem necessary for progress to be made. (I also may need to ask some questions just to check all the boxes for your insurance. They sure can be nosey!) We can get to know each other a bit and become familiar with each other's personalities. By the end of the session we should have some solid goals and intentions established, as well as at least one small thing you can walk away with that feels like an improvement.

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

It can be difficult to find someone with the unique ability to connect with "difficult" teens and kids. Whether it's my personality, experiences, skills, or a fun combination of all of that, my younger clients end up feeling heard and respected. However, that doesn't mean I'm a push over. Part of what my clients tend to respect about me is that I will give them respect while still being completely honest, including how and what we will be informing their parents about, behaviors that are not working for them, and the possible consequences of their current decisions. I also have about as much knowledge and experience with childcare/parenting that someone my age can have. I grew up in a home daycare, babysat starting at 12, and every single job I had until beginning as a therapist involved children in some capacity. Parents find my creative approach to caring for children (and getting them to behave) refreshing and empowering.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

My dream clients are those that are motivated to make real changes in their life, willing to listen, and wanting to have a bit of fun in the process. The majority of my clients are teens and children who may be going through emotional turmoil or difficult behaviors, as well as parents who need some extra support in order to be the best parents they can be.

About Meg Stephens