As an essential member of the clinical treatment team at Growth Extended, Stephanie serves with passion and an eagerness to do well. Stephanie’s unique charm and sense of humor are key elements to her ability to build rapport with both her clients and their parents. It is this rapport which sets the framework for the transformations seen in her clients. Stephanie is proficient in conducting individual and family therapy sessions that are impactful and life changing. Stephanie also serves as a co-facilitator of the Weekend Restoration Groups and she is committed to meticulously preparing parents for their child’s transition back into the home. Stephanie believes in providing parents with the necessary support, education and care, as they are the role models of their family units.
Stephanie learned at an early age that no one goes through life unscathed. It was through the life experiences of others that her passion of being present with hurting individuals grew. Stephanie holds two Bachelor’s Degree, her second from the University of Florence in Italy. It was living abroad in a different country that gave her the opportunity to help develop a sense of flexibility and compassion towards other cultural and economic backgrounds. Stephanie later decided to further her knowledge and obtained her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy/Art Therapy from Phillips Graduate University in Chatsworth California.
Stephanie specializes in helping struggling young people and has spent years working as a mental health clinician. Her knowledge base spans the entire age range spectrum obtained in arenas such as residential treatment, outpatient programs and school bases settings. From this experience, Stephanie has gained an appreciation for the unrelenting struggles and imperfections that make up a person. Above all, Stephanie finds joy in watching people take difficult and tragic experiences of life and turn them into opportunities for growth, empowerment, and hope. Stephanie affirms that she loves working at Growth Extended because, “It is rare to find this type of a strengths-based approach to treating adolescents. I am quite fortunate to work alongside compassionate therapists and dedicated floor staff. The support I’ve received since working here has been wonderful. It’s also quite gratifying when clients start to implement change, and to see them evolve”.
When she is not at work, during her free time, Stephanie enjoys taping into her creative side. She relishes in sewing, cooking, and art making (especially sculpture and painting).