about us
Our Mission:
To cultivate a supportive, therapeutic experience that promotes safety, growth, and healing.
About Growing Through Therapeutic Practice
Hiya! I’m Stephanie! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS). I created Growing Through because I felt that individuals were in need of a collaborative space that actually met them where they’re at and made them feel safe being their authentic selves.
Much too often, therapists push their own goals, values, and beliefs onto clients making individuals feel ashamed, guilty, or self-blaming for thinking differently. Therapy should never be a place where you feel victimized, invalidated, exploited, or unsafe. As a victim and survivor of abuse, I have been in the exact same place that you are finding yourself today. I worked with some amazing therapists who helped me through a dark time in my life and I would love to be there for those who are struggling in their own darkness.
a note from our founder:
There is no correct or easy path through trauma and the problems it creates in our lives. It is true when they say that the “only way out is through.” As someone who personally and professionally has experience with trauma, I am able to therapeutically guide individuals through the healing process without judgment. I want others to know it's okay to feel their feelings and that sometimes we need a little help to feel safe doing so. Therapy should be a space that you can create with your therapist, as all of us define safety and comfort in different ways.
I use a person-centered and strengths-based approach, which are just fancy ways of saying that I create space for self-discovery and highlight the positive qualities we often ignore or can't see in ourselves. Additionally, I am extremely passionate about creating goals with my clients instead of for them. Goals are not useful to you if they are solely coming from me. I also identify as biracial and can support clients with racial identity issues, specifically the Latinx community. I utilize mindfulness techniques such as breathing, grounding, body awareness, and meditation.
I am also a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS). This allows me to use my own personal recovery experience as a way to empower, instill hope and assist individuals with improving their lives. Additionally, I understand the power dynamics that can be at play within a therapeutic space and I want us to be able to have a conversation rather than have you feel like you are being studied. I would be honored to help you through your journey.
