Approach to Therapy

Stephanie takes a collaborative approach by working with clients to identify goals they would like to meet in their life and figuring out a structured way to achieve those goals that are consistent with their values. Stephanie presents herself as authentic by being open, nonjudgmental, validating, and direct with her clients. Stephanie has extensive training and experience in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Exposure and Response and Prevention (ERP) Therapy. She primarily uses techniques to help individuals recognize patterns that are ineffective or create consequences in their life and works to alter these so they are more effective. She assists them in identifying barriers to behavior change and supports them in the process of altering behaviors. She uses motivational interviewing techniques to help increase individuals’ motivation to change, meets clients where they are at in the change process, while also building on the strengths they already possess. Although individuals may want positive changes to take place in their life, she recognizes that fear, barriers, and concern for the unknown can get in the way and works with clients to overcome these barriers.

Experience and Training

Stephanie earned her Bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois at Chicago and her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lewis University, with a specialization in adult mental health. Following her Master’s program, Stephanie went on to earn her certification in alcohol and drug counseling.

Prior to working at The OCD & Anxiety Center, Stephanie worked with adolescents and adults in partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and outpatient clinics. She enjoyed working with adolescents and adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, transition of life issues, anxiety disorders, and other mood disorders.

At The OCD & Anxiety Center, Stephanie specializes in treating kids, teens and adults with anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. She especially enjoys working with individuals who live with panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, school anxiety, OCD and depression. She has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP). She is comfortable working with the schools, parents and families to help their significant others manage anxiety and achieve behavior change. She dedicates her career to continuing the learning process and attends many trainings and conferences related to working with a variety of populations, symptomatology, and methodology in the field. She is a member of the International OCD Foundation and has completed the Body Focused Repetitive Behavior training program to provide CBT to individuals living with hairpulling and skin picking.

In addition to her clinical work, Stephanie enjoys presenting at conferences and networking with other professionals at conferences. Additionally, she has participated on a board of directors for a local organization that strives to advocate and increase awareness of mental health and addiction patterns in the community.

More About Stephanie

Stephanie was born and raised in Wisconsin and transplanted to Illinois 10 years ago. Even though she lives in IL, she continues to root for the Wisconsin sports team. In her free time, she enjoys walking on nature trails, biking, reading science fiction, bowling, playing volleyball and softball, yoga, and spending time with family and friends.