Stephanie Addiss, MA, LPC, LAC
she/hers pronouns
MY PATH TO PSYCHOTHERAPY
I’ve always been drawn to listening deeply and noticing what lies beneath the surface. My desire to understand my own emotional experiences naturally led me to the study of psychology and psychotherapy. I received my degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine and then earned a graduate degree in Contemplative Counseling Psychology from Naropa University. More than a decade later, I’m honored to bring this path of study and self-inquiry into my work with clients every day.
Years of personal psychotherapy, meditation practice, group process work, somatic healing, and time spent in nature have helped me cultivate a sense of freedom and flexibility. I see psychotherapy as one of many paths toward greater joy, but I believe it offers some of the most enduring and transformative shifts in how we relate to ourselves and others.
"To listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear."
- Mark Nepo
PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACH
Though I do practice talk therapy, I’ve found that the deepest healing often happens when mind and body are integrated. When it feels accessible, we’ll explore your experience through a somatic lens, inviting your body’s natural wisdom to guide deeper processing and release. Some specific modalities I often draw from include Brainspotting, the Hakomi Method, mindfulness and somatic practices, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
In our sessions, you’ll find permission to express all of your emotions — even those that feel conflicting or difficult. You’ll be gently challenged to grow, supported in moving through emotional intensity, and invited to experience moments of lightness and relief. My intention is for you to feel respected, actively included in the process, and comfortable offering feedback at any time. I look forward to connecting with you and exploring how I can support you!