LPCC, 4 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I'm Stephanie, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor! Seeking out support can be terrifying, hard and intimidating; so first, I want to acknowledge the efforts that you've made that has lead you here. If you're exploring therapy for the first time, or returning to it, I'm genuinely grateful and proud that you've taken this step towards caring for your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Growing up, I saw firsthand the powerful difference it made when mental health was met with compassion, and the harm when it was met with stigma. Those experiences shaped the way I view the world and ultimately led me to this work. Because of this, I became the kind of counselor who listens without judgment, shows up with honesty, and creates a space where people can feel seen. I will always show up authentically in this work because I believe you deserve to feel safe being your authentic self, too. I have a deep love for the work I get to do, and look forward to the potential opportunity to work together. We’ll take the journey together, one step at a time.
Above all else, the first session is about connection and beginning to build a relationship grounding in trust, openness and mutual respect. I offer a calm, collaborative and deeply empathetic space where clients can feel safe enough to explore parts of themselves they may have been hiding or avoiding. I honor each person's individuality, and will spend time in our first session getting to know you for who you are. I'll ask about your unique life experiences, current supports and stressors, what brings you joy, what hurdles you've overcome, and any long-term goals you may have. We'll explore what has brought you to therapy at this particular moment; if it’s a recent event, an ongoing struggle, or a feeling that something needs to change. Regardless, we’ll take time to unpack that together at the pace you feel the most comfortable.
One of my key strengths is my ability to utilize my clinical approach to establish a therapeutic environment that allows you to be comfortable being your true, authentic self. Clients often find that my calm presence helps them open up, while my thoughtful feedback helps them see things from new angles. While I always aim to meet you where you are, I also believe in being honest and direct. Sometimes that means making room for tough emotions and processing even harder experiences; other times, it is finding humor, celebrating small wins, or just taking a moment to breathe. I adapt to what is needed in the moment, whatever that may be. To me, therapy isn’t about rushing to “fix” things; that's not what I believe this is for. Overall, I believe my strengths lie in my ability to allow time for slowing down, exploring patterns, and challenging what no long serves you so you can create sustainable change that’s truly aligned with who you are.
I work best with individuals who may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure of their place in the world, or burdened by painful emotions or past experiences but is open to exploring what healing could look like. You might be navigating the impact of trauma, managing symptoms of a mental health conditions, or a struggling with managing daily stressors. Maybe it's an inner critical voice that feels hard to quiet. What matters most is not having everything figured out but being open to the possibility of healing. If you're coping with the aftermath of trauma that's rooted in childhood, challenging relationships or recent events, I offer support in facing these experiences, reducing avoidance and managing the emotional toll. We work together to build tools for grounding, processing safely, and reclaiming your sense of agency and peace. If you've been struggling with intense emotional highs and lows, constant anxious thoughts, irritability, or difficulty managing your mood, we can work together towards regulating emotions, identifying triggers and exploring underlying thoughts and patterns that may have kept you feeling stuck. We can explore tools that support stability, and help regain your confidence in your emotional world. As many people struggle with mental health conditions, I aim to provide a supportive place where we can explore methods that will help manage your diagnosis and relevant symptoms. Whether you're dealing with symptoms like hallucinations, disorganized thinking, anger, low distress tolerance, or you're feeling out of control, I provide a stable, nonjudgmental space to build insight, develop healthy outlets for expression, learn strategies to respond rather than react, develop coping skills, and strengthen your sense of identity and connection. Even if you're unsure of where the path may lead, you're willing to explore it; if you're ready to engage in the therapeutic process with curiosity and courage, even amidst uncertainty - we may be a good fit.
I have found CBT to be incredibly supportive for clients navigating daily struggles; whether that's unhelpful behaviors or persistent, negative thoughts that impact their overall wellbeing and contribute to emotional distress. This approach helps to understand not only what is happening, but why it's happening, and what can be done to create meaningful change. I've seen CBT help bring relief to clients by helping them regulate their emotions, and manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. When we work together through a CBT lens, we can explore tools that help with emotional awareness and create behavioral change, helping to feel more grounded and in control of your life.
Narrative therapy has been a helpful lens through which clients reclaim their voices and re-author their life stories. We all carry stories and experiences that shape who we are, and how we view the world. As many clients carry stories shaped by trauma and relationship wounds, narrative therapy offers a safe space to explore those stories without judgement. When working together, clients explore how their experiences have impacted their perception and emotional wellbeing, and can learn to create new, empowering versions of their stories. Narrative therapy has been especially helpful for those healing from trauma, navigating complex relationship dynamics, and in managing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Through a person-centered approach, I aim to establish a safe space where clients can feel deeply heard, accepted and understood. I've found this therapeutic lens particularly valuable for those rebuilding their sense of self - whether that's after difficult relationships, traumatic experiences, a diagnosis of a mental health condition, or the challenges of living with psychosis. No two clients are the same, and this lens honors your unique worldview, needs and pace. My goal is to offer a nonjudgmental, affirming environment where you can process emotions, make sense of your identity and move toward a life aligned with your values.