Stephanie Podasca (she/her)

Mindfulness-based

Using mindfulness in counseling allows us to slow down and explore every part of our present moment experience. Sometimes it is a more active process and other times it can be more meditative. I have been personally practicing and studying mindfulness for the past 5 years and incorporate it into everything I do. It is also a foundation component of doing both DBT-informed therapy and Sensorimotor therapy for trauma.

Sensorimotor

My work does not look like regular talk therapy - I invite a lot of somatic exercises, movement, and play to shake up those patterned responses that have been holding you back. Working somatically allows us to reach below the surface and identify the roots of our struggles Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - Level 1: Affect Dysregulation, Survival Responses, and Trauma Memory Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - Level 2: Developmental Injury & Attachment.

Experiential

Somatic and mindfulness-based therapy is experiential at its core. By working in the present moment and including the body’s inner wisdom in our work, we can tap into connection with our most authentic Self. Experiential therapy gives us the real-time tools to track and engaged with both the joys and sorrows of the human experience. This type of therapy places more emphasis on the present and future rather than focusing too much on the past.

Anxiety

Excessive thinking, worrying, future-tripping, panic, freezing, shutting down... Anxiety truly sucks! The majority of my clients would be diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which tends to mask underlying trauma, low-self esteem, and other behavioral issues. Luckily, there are so many helpful tools you can learn to overcome the helplessness that anxiety makes you feel. With mindfulness, somatic experiments, and education we will work together to get you through the worries and fears!

PTSD

PTSD is a very challenging and unique experience for everyone - I have worked with many people who satisfied the criteria for PTSD, even though all of their experiences were wildly different! As a trauma-informed therapist, I initially assume that a traumatic experience is at the root of most human suffering and is the cause of the majority of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, addiction, etc. I engage in ongoing education to be an active helper at every phase of the recovery process.

Women's Issues

Being a woman in this world is hard! It's important you work with someone that understands the array of challenges women are faced with from the time they are born and throughout life. I have the most experience working directly with women in both individual counseling and in women's-based recovery circles. I am passionate about helping women process their experiences of womanhood, motherhood, sexuality, challenges in the workforce, and overcoming trauma so they can live empowered lives.

Early Recovery

You have just made one of the most important decisions of your life in seeking recovery from addiction! It can be vital to set up your life with as many supports in place as possible as you start to uncover the challenging emotions, behaviors, and trauma that contributed to your addictions. I bring my personal background in recovery and harm reduction education, and I am attuned to both the challenges and gifts the recovery journey brings up.

Compassion Fatigue

Do you struggle to take care of yourself because you tend to take care of others? Has taking care of someone drained your energy and lust for life? Are you a healthcare professional that is reaching their limit? Compassion/Burnout fatigue has a way of building up and breaking us down. You give up so much of yourself only to feel depleted and unable to pursue your goals, desires, and cope in healthy ways. I can help you to carve out your own time, self-care and get back on your own path.