Stephanie Burns

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

I approach therapy as a collaborative journey, one where I join you as a supportive partner in navigating life’s challenges. My fundamental belief is in your inherent resilience and capacity for growth; the therapeutic space I create is designed to be a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you feel seen, heard, and empowered to explore your inner world and find your own answers.

In the room, I am a warm, engaged, and authentic presence. I believe that the strength of our therapeutic relationship is paramount, and I strive to build a foundation of trust and mutual respect. My voice is empathetic yet direct, offering gentle guidance and insightful reflections to help you uncover patterns, gain new perspectives, and foster lasting change. I am there to ask the right questions, offer a fresh lens, and sometimes, simply to sit with you in quiet support.

My style is best described as an integrative blend, primarily drawing from humanistic and person-centered principles. This means our sessions are always focused squarely on you, guided by your goals and pace. I also weave in techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help challenge unhelpful thought patterns and build practical coping skills and incorporate aspects of mindfulness to help you stay grounded and present.

I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Spring Arbor University, where I developed a strong foundation in clinical practice, mental health advocacy, and trauma-informed care. My professional experience includes working in community mental health, where I support individuals experiencing mental health crises in a highly structured and intensive care setting also providing case management, ensuring that the clients I provided service to have the best care possible. I also spent 12 years working in foster care, offering support to clients from diverse backgrounds as they worked through issues such as past trauma, anxiety, and depression.

I am the mother of three children and the grandmother to two beautiful girls. I enjoy spending time with my family sharing food and laughter. I believe that we should not put time limits on our own personal journeys as I completed many life accomplishments later in life. My own personal experience has shown me that therapy can be life changing.