Coping Skills, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD
Accepted insurance & self-pay
About Stephanie
Stephanie Leonard is a Licensed Supervising Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who has dedicated her life’s work and passion to working with individuals who struggle with substance use and the families who love them. Currently, she provides services to individuals who are in the midst of their active addiction and are experiencing a higher acuity of clinically severe mental health symptoms as a direct result of their active alcohol and/or drug use.
**Please note Stephanie has primarily day times available.**
Stephanie is a strength-based, compassionate, genuine, authentic, and creative clinician with over 20 years of experience with working with many diverse populations, including but not limited to SUD residential and outpatient treatment, group homes, prison settings, and many community outreach endeavors serving the marginalized and disenfranchised faced with challenges that jeopardize their mental and emotional wellness.
Stephanie provides clinical counseling to both individuals and families using a person-centered approach, incorporating existential, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing models. If you are ever in need, or if you know someone who is in need of mental health and/or addiction counseling, please do not hesitate to contact Stephanie for help — she would love to be a part of your beautiful journey called “life”.
"As an African American female who dared to challenge cultural norms within societal and family systems, in search of my own uniquely defined voice and identity, I can definitely identify with the fears that surround becoming vulnerable to the opinions of others."
Get to know Stephanie
Why did you decide to become a counselor?
I don’t feel like I decided or chose counseling as a profession, I believe counseling chose me. I struggled with active drug addiction for over 17 yrs and as I began my own personal journey to recover, I discovered I possessed a hidden and innate ability and desire to help others to discover their untapped potential to live autonomous and fulfilled lives and this has been my life’s work for the last 22 yrs.
What types of clients to you work with best?
I do not believe I have a particular “type” of client preference, of course, clients who come into sessions ready and willing to engage without resistance, are always the most fun to begin the therapeutic process with, however, this is not the reality for most individuals who come in seeking help. Counseling is a very challenging skill that requires constant development, even when working with individuals who embrace every aspect of the process. I prefer to think that my counseling approach is one that embraces the challenges that seeks to meet the needs of every individual I encounter, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, loaded with a strategic effort to help each client foster insight and awareness that is designed to meet them in their unique and individual place of need.
What type of clients are you most excited to work with?
I am most excited to work with individuals who have identified spiritual deficits as one possible barrier to their overall wellness.
What’s one thing you wish all clients knew?
I wish all clients knew that challenges, setbacks, and even adversity can be used as steppingstones that can equip the human spirit to overcome and persevere through difficulties and trauma.
Why did you choose to practice at Thriveworks?
Like most of the world today, I too, was faced with challenges trying to navigate through the difficulties brought on by this global pandemic and to help me to adjust to what I define as my “new normal”, I sought help through telehealth counseling services. This experience was the beginning of my desire to seek out companies where I can provide counseling services to others in same or similar circumstances and Thriveworks felt like a perfect fit to what I was looking in an employer.
What inspires you?
People who fight to rise from the ashes of overwhelming adversities.
What can clients expect in their first session with you?
A warm, friendly, and kind presence.
What do you want to accomplish with an individual in their first session?
To decrease anxiety and increase level of comfort.
What do you do for fun/on your time off?
I love to travel and shop
What should clients know about you before scheduling a first counseling session?
I am very personable
Other areas of focus
Education and training
- Years in practice
- 9 years
- Graduating institute
- Youngstown State University
- Graduating degree
- Master's in Counseling Education
Additional details
Practice information
Book your first session
