"I finally decided I wanted to try therapy while I was in college, so I decided to see someone offered at my school. However, at my first appointment, I quickly understood that the counseling program at my school did not truly care about me as a client. After one appointment, during which I was told I was just having trouble with school, which I knew was not the problem, I began searching for a new therapist. This is when I found Stephanie. I heard that she had diverse patient experiences and I wanted to try her out. Before my first session, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to attend therapy after how unwelcoming my first experience was. But after just one session with Stephanie, I knew I wanted to stick with it. Talking about my feelings was not something I was very comfortable with; however, Stephanie made me feel heard. There is nothing like talking but having no one really listen or having them listen and just tell you “I’m sorry, it will get better.” Before attending therapy, this is how I felt, completely alone. Yet it felt like she really cared, even after just one session. I knew I was not going to find another therapist that truly cared for her patients as Stephanie does. She was so easy to talk to and it was no time before I began opening up. Since I was young, I was told that my emotions and feelings weren’t valid, so having Stephanie help validate my feelings brought such a change to my life. I finally felt like I wasn’t crazy, and I stopped bottling up everything I felt. Not only did she listen, but she allowed me to just sit with my sadness, or anger, and understand that although I am struggling, I am safe and feeling my emotions is okay. I am now able to feel my emotions, talk about them, and yet not let them consume me. Every appointment I attend is the highlight of my week and every time I leave the appointment, I feel lighter and less alone. I am proud of the person I have become and the obstacles that I have persevered through, but I could not have done that without Stephanie’s help. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a therapist."
E.B.