Hi, I’m Stephanie. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication Studies at San José State University, where my master’s project explored the lives of people with significant mobility and communication differences — especially how they experience autonomy, independence, and their own sense of self.
Over the years, I’ve been so blessed to work and volunteer in ways that connect me with people who have diverse communication and support needs. I spent ten years volunteering in classrooms for students with complex physical and communicative differences. More recently, I served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate and Educational Rights Holder for an older youth with complex developmental needs, and I joined a UC Davis research advisory committee on healthcare inclusion for individuals with developmental differences.
I work as a peer counselor, supporting people in many ways — socially, relationally, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. While I’m not a licensed counselor, I use well-researched, evidence-based counseling approaches to help my clients grow and thrive.
My background is in constructive psychotherapy, including solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy. I guide clients in discovering and using their own strengths, resources, and capacity to create the lives they want. I believe we all have the power to shape our own reality.
I also draw from humanistic therapies, such as person-centered, emotion-focused, and existential approaches. This means I follow my clients’ lead, supporting them in living meaningful and authentic lives. My style is mostly non-directive, because I believe clients know themselves best — but I also give clear, caring feedback when it can help, drawing from tools in dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy.
Finally, I use relational-cultural therapy to help clients build deeper connections and foster interdependence, even in a world where challenges like racism and ableism can make that harder.
I found AAC Peer Support: Empowering Individuals to Find Their Voice. Mental health is my passion, and I want to bring that support to people in the AAC community and beyond.
I live in Sacramento, California, with my wife, our young child, and our sassy cat — who likes to think he runs the house.
