Stephens received her Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling with a dual concentration in developmental and psychiatric disorders from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Additionally, Stephens earned her Bachelor of Arts from Meredith College with a triple major in psychology, sociology, and criminology. With over nine years of experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum, she understands the different ways in which mental health can impact these individuals. Stephens is also experienced in working with individuals with other developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, psychiatric disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Specific areas that Stephens has training and experience in working with clients to make positive change include:

 

 

ADHD

​Autism 

Anxiety

Anger Management

Behavior Modification

Career Transitions and Adjustments

Chronic Illness

Depression

Emotional Regulation

Executive Functioning Skills

Grief and Loss

Identity Issues

Impulse Control

Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

Low Self-Esteem

Navigating Relationships

Negative Body Image

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Stress Management

Transition to Adulthood

Trauma/PTSD

 

 

As a therapist, Stephens understands the importance of creating a warm, safe, and non-judgmental environment in which all clients feels genuinely accepted and respected. Stephens believes that while we all experience ups and downs in our lives, each client brings a unique set of circumstances to therapy which makes them the expert in their own lives. Therefore, Stephens regards building a partnership with the client as essential to creating and achieving the client’s therapeutic goals. Stephens also believes that therapy should use a strengths-based approach to highlight what innate qualities the client possesses as they navigate challenges. Stephens utilizes an integrated approach and draws techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help her clients develop the skills necessary to successfully achieve the goals they set together.