Stephanie West, MA

Professional Counselor Associate — Serving Children, Adolescents, and Women

Meet

Stephanie West

I believe counseling is a sacred and intentional journey of discovery, growth, and healing. A journey that requires tremendous courage, strength, and bravery from you. In our collaborative work together, my hope is to create a sacred space for you to feel deeply heard, seen, valued, and to process the concerns that led you to seek counseling. Together, we will partner to create goals to facilitate growth, healing, and lasting change. You are uniquely you and I strive to customize our sessions to meet your specific needs. There will also be careful consideration of your lifestyle, choices, beliefs, and cultural influences.

MY PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH

My approach is humanistic, integrative, holistic, and strengths based- seeing the totality of your whole being which includes the psychological, physiological, relational, and spiritual aspects of your life which have all shaped you into who you are today and contribute to your life story. Whether you are experiencing grief, loss, anxiety, relational conflicts, depression, or difficult life transitions, know I am honored to walk with you and hold your story.

Counseling children and adolescents is a deep heart passion of mine, and it is a privilege to come alongside your child through the vehicle of counseling to process emotions or challenges and celebrate growth. In the counseling sessions, some modalities that may be used include play, sand tray, talking, or art. Based on the developmental age and stage of your child, play is their language and the toys become the tools they use for their words. Play can allow your child to process their feelings, emotions, or challenging experiences which allows for self-expression, problem solving, and growth. Additionally, you are the expert in your child’s life and a collaborative approach to supporting your child in counseling will help in your child’s healing and growth.

My overall experience includes working as a counseling intern at a non-profit in Southeast Washington D.C., counseling youth and families living in public housing, where they faced challenges such as food scarcity, family brokenness, and economic hardships. Additionally, I have  been a counseling intern at a private school for grades 5-12th. Employment advocacy and training for individuals with developmental disabilities, being an employee advocate through my work in Human Resources in the tech sector, and providing career and life coaching to women leaders are also spaces that I have worked in.

My heart has always been drawn to helping youth (both typically developing and with differing abilities) be able to see their strengths, walk in emotional health, and reach their full potential. I am so honored to continue that work with children and adolescents through the vehicle of counseling. 

As a parent, I understand the incredible responsibility that you are holding in your parenting role. A few spaces I have been able to work alongside parents include: Safe Families as a Mommy Mentor, YoungLives as a mentor (a ministry for teen mamas), serving as a Courageous Girls Leadership Coach and supporting mamas in their role of raising daughters, and being a Respite Care Provider for DSH for little ones in Foster Care and walking with their foster parents. Additionally, I have had the honor of serving as a Common Grounds Leader (a social group for adults in the Portland community who experience an intellectual or developmental disability) and being part of the Executive Leadership Team for Courageous Girls*.

*For information, resources, and support related to the Courageous Girls Movement, be sure to visit: Courageous Girls

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATIONS

Masters, Counseling, Santa Clara University
Bachelors, Biology, Westmont College

CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Certification, Transformational Coaching, Western Seminary

Trained in: play therapy, art therapy, and sand tray through the Northwest Center for Play Therapy Summer Institute

Specialized Training in the Core Value Index

I am currently a Registered Associate (#R8945) with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. My current supervisor is Dr. Michelle Engblom-Deglmann Ph.D., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (T1004). In addition to regular meetings with my supervisor, I am also committed to seeking consultation with other mental health professionals as needed.

NOTABLE

Major graduate coursework has included: Child Health and Development, Multicultural Counseling, Counseling for Grief and Loss, Psychology of Relationships, Behavioral Health Management, Psychology of Human Development, Research Methods, Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling, and Counseling Contemporary Problems.

To check availability or to schedule an appointment, contact Stephanie directly:

503-208-4782
stephanie@livingwholehearted.com

  • 50-minute sessions are $150

  • I accept cash, check, and credit cards. Payment for services will be due at the beginning of each session. In the event you need to cancel your session, please contact me within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment to avoid being charged for the session.