- Client-centered
- CBT and psychodynamic
- Focus on parenting
About Stephanie
Stephanie Howard is a licensed clinical social worker with 17 years of experience in California. She uses a client-centered style that focuses on each person's strengths and goals. Her approach is straightforward and respectful, and she aims to make therapy practical and approachable for busy people and parents.
She earned a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and has worked in inpatient and outpatient mental health, schools, and community clinics. Those settings shaped a flexible way of working that fits different life situations. Stephanie mixes talk-based methods to match what a person needs in the moment.
In sessions she draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy alongside client-centered work. That means she helps people spot unhelpful thinking patterns, and also looks at how past experiences shape current feelings and behaviors. The work is paced to what each person can handle.
Stephanie has helped people with stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma and abuse concerns. She also supports those facing parenting challenges, relationship strain, grief, workplace issues, and life transitions. Additional focus areas include adoption and foster care, family of origin issues, postpartum concerns, and ADHD-related struggles.
Her style is respectful, sensitive, and strengths-based. She tailors conversations and plans to individual needs and goals. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions based on therapist availability.
How client-centered and CBT work online
Stephanie blends client-centered work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic ideas. Client-centered work focuses on listening, empathy, and building on a person’s strengths to set goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people identify thinking patterns that get in the way and practice different ways of responding. Psychodynamic methods look at how earlier experiences influence current feelings and behaviors and help bring those patterns into view.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and together decide which methods to try. That collaboration helps shape what happens in sessions so the work fits individual pace and priorities.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people use a quieter space, avoid camera use if they prefer, or schedule sessions around childcare and work commitments. Licensed professionals can adapt techniques like CBT worksheets, reflective conversation, and trauma-focused pacing to an online setting to keep the work practical and goal-driven.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns can Stephanie help with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and parenting challenges, among other concerns such as grief, workplace issues, and ADHD-related struggles.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a client-centered approach that emphasizes strengths and collaboration, combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic techniques to address thoughts and past influences.
How much experience does she have?
She has 17 years of professional experience working in settings like inpatient and outpatient mental health, schools, and community clinics.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with clients outside the United States?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what does cost look like?
Session cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.