Thank you for exploring my web page and getting to know more about me. I have been an educational, career, and personal counselor for 24 years, and this step of determining the right connection and fit with a therapist is important for your growth, potential life transitions, and healing.

Early in my career, I remember attending a national conference a few months after 9/11, and the keynote speaker touched on something that I have found to be profoundly important. He said—during times of change, crisis, or conflict—we go deeper and we go higher.

In going deeper, it is an invitation for a person to explore who they are within the context of their life situation and circumstances. Some of what may come up can include:

A raw awareness of self, perhaps of your own anger, fear, shame, or vulnerability
A strong desire to make change, but also an uneasiness or an incapacity to grasp where to even begin
A desire for deeper meaning and expressions of joy/happiness in life

In going higher, it is the awareness that we cannot begin to address or remedy the situation by ourselves. We need others to journey with us. During times of change and crisis, we become aware that:

our own life direction is unclear and possibly disconnected from our core values
healing or change may be a spiritual journey, or put differently, our own legacy might be part of something larger than we can presently imagine
the systems and institutions in which we operate may be contributing to the current situation

I believe this deeper and higher philosophy is core to engaging in a deeper exploration of ourselves and our values. Whether you are seeking mental health/individual therapy, exploring career/educational directions, or evaluating personal/professional identities, I will walk alongside and support you in working through barriers and conflicts while also celebrating with you on your wins!

PS - the tree logo you see at the top of this page was designed with this deeper and higher outlook in mind. Read more about it on the "About Stephen" page.

If any of this strikes a chord, I invite you to explore my website and learn more about me and my approaches to therapy. I wish you well in your journey of self-discovery!

Supporting Your Well-Being Through Authentic Engagement