Licensed to practice in Illinois and accepts 16 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Life Transitions, Self Esteem and 5 more.

Stephanie Bower

(she/her)

LCSW, 6 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

About me

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of yourself? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I work with adults who are navigating anxiety, self-esteem struggles, and major life transitions especially when life feels different than expected or you’re struggling to figure out what comes next. Maybe you overthink everything, second-guess yourself, feel like you’re never doing enough, or find yourself constantly trying to keep everything together. Maybe you’re going through a transition that has left you questioning who you are, what you want, or where you fit. Therapy can be a space to slow down, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and begin making changes that feel meaningful and realistic. My approach is warm, genuine, collaborative, and direct. I want you to feel comfortable being completely yourself while also feeling supported in challenging the patterns that may be keeping you stuck.You don’t have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We can start exactly where you are.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

The first session is a chance for us to get to know one another. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, what challenges you’re facing, and what you’d like to be different in your life. I’ll spend time learning about your story, and together we’ll begin identifying goals that feel important to you. Most importantly, my hope is that you leave feeling heard, respected, and a little less alone in whatever you’re carrying.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Clients often describe me as warm, nonjudgmental, and direct. I genuinely value authenticity and believe therapy works best when you don’t feel like you have to perform or pretend to have everything figured out. I’ll meet you where you are while also gently challenging you when it may help you move forward. My goal isn’t simply for you to feel better for an hour. I want you to leave therapy with greater understanding of yourself, practical tools, and a stronger sense of confidence in your ability to navigate life.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with adults who are thoughtful, self-aware, and ready to better understand themselves, even if they feel stuck or unsure where to begin. Many of my clients have spent years trying to “figure it out” on their own and are looking for a therapist who offers both compassion and practical tools. I enjoy helping people navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, burnout, self-esteem, and major life transitions. Together, we’ll explore patterns that are no longer serving you, build coping skills, and create meaningful change that aligns with your values. I strive to provide a warm, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where you can show up exactly as you are while feeling supported, challenged, and empowered throughout the healing process.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Self Esteem

Other specialties

Grief

Identifies as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Together, we’ll identify the thought patterns that may be keeping you stuck and learn practical ways to respond differently. CBT helps you better understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so you can feel more confident, balanced, and in control.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

Instead of trying to get rid of difficult thoughts or feelings, we’ll learn how to make room for them while focusing on what truly matters to you. ACT helps you move toward a meaningful life guided by your values, even when life feels overwhelming.

Trauma Informed Care

I recognize how past experiences can shape the way we think, feel, and relate to others. Therapy moves at your pace in a safe, supportive environment where healing happens without judgment.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

We’ll practice slowing down and becoming more present so you can respond to life’s challenges with greater awareness instead of reacting on autopilot. Mindfulness can help reduce stress, anxiety, and self-criticism.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.