Hello and welcome. My name is Stephanie. I have been serving children, youth, and families in various professional settings for over 18 years. My skill set is diverse, and I believe in authenticity in practice, which involves tailoring treatment to meet each person’s unique needs.
For 15 years, I was a dedicated Home-Based Therapeutic Service provider (HBTS) and Personal Assistance Services and Supports worker (PASS). In these roles, I supported children and teens with autism and other developmental abilities in achieving many different goals in many different settings. I became an expert in de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and behavioral therapy, including Applied Behavior Analysis. I also learned how to be a support system to caregivers and family members as they came to understand and accept a new diagnosis and subsequently, a new way of life.
During graduate school, I interned at a middle school and Butler Psychiatric Hospital (each for one year). I focused my studies on clinical and therapeutic interventions. These experiences enabled me to refine my skills in different professional settings and learn new approaches to treatment, including psychiatric care/medication management, couples and group counseling, and trauma/grief counseling.
In 2012, I graduated from Rhode Island College with a master’s degree in social work. I practiced clinical social work in Rhode Island for over 10 years and dedicated my time to Early Intervention and K-5 public education. I became an expert in play therapy, family therapy, and assessment and evaluation. My favorite part of these experiences was learning about different family systems/structures and child-rearing/educational practices, and empowering all of these individuals to reach their goals/fullest potential.
In 2021, I acquired my K-12 School Guidance Counselor Certification and moved to my birth state where I have been working as a School Counselor for an online/Virtual Academy in southern AZ. I come to BetterHelp with the desire to continue “helping” people through the comfort and convenience of the virtual world. I place high value in establishing and maintaining positive therapeutic relationships with my clients. I will provide a non-judgmental, “safe space” for you to (1) reflect upon your own thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behavior, (2) learn to manage work, social and/or familial dynamics/conflicts, (3) process and/or prepare for change in your life, and/or (4) work to accomplish your own ideas and goals as you see fit. Your input and feedback will also be important in our journey together to ensure that our sessions are always tailored to best meet your needs.
I wish that everyone could see their strengths and the capactiy that they possess to overcome life’s challenges. I look forward to collaborating with you. Remember, this is your unique healing journey...YOU deserve this.
Best Regards, Stephanie (she/her)
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Communication problems, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Impulsivity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Self-love, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues
RI LCSW CSW01552