Stephanie Petersen , LCSW, LMSW

Stephanie Petersen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with 14 years of experience. She offers a steady, practical approach for people facing stress, anxiety, grief, and life changes. Stephanie writes plainly and helps clients learn coping skills they can use day to day.

She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness to help people notice patterns, shift unhelpful thinking, and build new habits. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and motivational interviewing are part of her toolkit when people want to clarify values or make changes. She also brings psychodynamic ideas into sessions to look at how past experiences shape current feelings.

Stephanie has worked in medical social work and home health settings, which shaped her approach to chronic illness and caregiver stress. That background informs her work with cancer, chronic pain, and aging concerns. She also supports people facing addiction, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, and identity topics such as LGBT-related concerns.

Sessions focus on practical skills, gentle reflection, and clear goals. Stephanie encourages clients to try small experiments between sessions and to track what helps. She aims to be an encouraging partner while people practice new ways of coping.

Based in Michigan, she offers therapy through video calls, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Sessions are arranged through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take committed steps toward those values. In practice this can mean learning to notice painful thoughts without being ruled by them and taking small actions aligned with personal goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and trying new behaviors to change feelings. This approach works well for anxiety, depression, and stress because it gives concrete tools and homework to practice between sessions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, suggest methods that fit the situation, and adjust based on what feels most helpful. Clients are invited to try techniques, give feedback, and shape the plan together so it fits their life and pace.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how people connect. Video calls are useful for a near face-to-face conversation and deeper work. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for hands-free check-ins. Live chat or text-based messaging supports brief check-ins, coaching-style exchanges, or ongoing encouragement between longer sessions. These options help people fit therapy into busy schedules and maintain momentum between meetings.