Meet Stephanie: A Warm, Supportive Approach to Therapy
Starting therapy can feel like a big step. Whether you're navigating anxiety, working through difficult past experiences, struggling with self-confidence, or simply trying to make sense of what you're feeling, finding a therapist you feel comfortable with can make a meaningful difference. At Safe Place Therapy, we believe that finding the right therapist is about more than just finding an appointment. It's about connecting with someone who listens, understands that everyone's experiences are different, and helps you feel supported as you work toward your goals.
We're excited to introduce Stephanie Andrade, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), who will be joining the Safe Place Therapy team on November 1st!
Stephanie brings experience supporting individuals with a variety of mental health concerns, along with a collaborative, client-centred approach that focuses on helping people better understand themselves and navigate life's challenges.
If you've been considering therapy and wondering where to start, here's a little more about Stephanie and how she works with clients.
Getting to Know Stephanie
Stephanie holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto and has experience providing individual psychotherapy to people navigating a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, and identity-related challenges.
Through her clinical experience, Stephanie has developed an appreciation for the importance of creating a space where people feel comfortable exploring their experiences without feeling judged or pressured to have everything figured out. She recognizes that reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, and she strives to meet each person where they are, working collaboratively to understand their needs and identify goals that feel meaningful to them.
How Can Stephanie Support You?
Everyone comes to therapy with a different story. You might be dealing with something that's been weighing on you for years, or you may be finding it increasingly difficult to manage something that has recently changed in your life.
Stephanie works with individuals aged 17 and older who are experiencing concerns such as:
Anxiety and overthinking: If your mind feels like it's constantly running, you find yourself replaying conversations, or you struggle to switch off worrying, therapy can help you explore these patterns and develop strategies for managing anxious thoughts.
Trauma and past experiences: Difficult experiences can continue to affect how we see ourselves, navigate relationships, and experience a sense of safety. Stephanie can support you as you explore these experiences at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Depression and low mood: If you've been feeling persistently sad, disconnected, or unlike yourself, therapy can provide space to explore what you're experiencing and work toward feeling more supported.
Self-esteem and self-confidence: You may struggle with self-doubt, feel overly critical of yourself, or find it difficult to recognize your own strengths. Therapy can help you build self-understanding and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
Stress and emotional regulation: When life feels overwhelming, it can be difficult to understand or manage your emotional responses. Working together, you can explore patterns and develop practical ways to navigate challenging situations.
Life transitions: Changes in relationships, education, work, or other areas of life can bring uncertainty and unexpected emotions. Therapy can offer a space to process these changes and figure out what comes next.
You don't need to identify with a specific concern on this list to reach out. If something is affecting your well-being or making everyday life feel more difficult, it can be worth exploring whether therapy might help.
What Is Stephanie's Approach to Therapy?
Stephanie takes a client-centred and trauma-informed approach to counselling. This means that she aims to create a supportive environment where your experiences, needs, and goals help guide the therapeutic process. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Stephanie works collaboratively with clients to understand what's bringing them to therapy and what they hope to get out of it.
She incorporates several therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)-informed strategies, and solution-focused techniques.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) explores the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It can help you recognize unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies for responding to challenges differently.
DBT-informed strategies can help you build skills related to emotional regulation and navigating difficult feelings.
Solution-focused techniques emphasize identifying strengths, exploring possibilities, and working toward meaningful goals, even when things currently feel overwhelming.
Stephanie draws on these approaches to support each client's individual needs rather than expecting everyone to benefit from the same strategies. Her goal is to help clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves, build self-compassion, and work toward feeling more grounded and confident in their everyday lives.
What If You're Nervous About Starting Therapy?
If you've never attended therapy before, it's completely understandable to have questions or feel uncertain about what to expect. You might worry about what you'll talk about, whether you'll feel comfortable opening up, or whether your concerns are serious enough to bring to a therapist.
You don't need to have the perfect words to describe how you're feeling, and you don't need to know exactly what you want to work on before your first appointment. Therapy is a collaborative process. You and your therapist can work together to understand what's going on, explore what matters to you, and identify goals at a pace that feels manageable.
It's also okay to take time to find someone you feel comfortable with. The relationship you build with your therapist is an important part of the experience, and asking questions or attending an initial consultation can help you decide whether the fit feels right.
At Safe Place Therapy, we offer free 20-minute consultations so you can connect with a therapist, ask questions, and get a sense of their approach before deciding whether you'd like to book a session.
A Little More About Stephanie Outside the Therapy Room
Getting to know your therapist as a person can also help you feel more comfortable taking that first step, so we asked Stephanie to share a few things about herself!
Outside of her work, Stephanie enjoys staying active through running and going to the gym. She's recently gotten into reading romantasy novels, enjoys listening to true crime podcasts and watching documentaries, and has a particular love for the colour pink. If something comes in pink, there's a good chance she'll choose it! Her favourite way to spend her free time is with her loved ones and her dog, Max.
We're so happy to welcome Stephanie to Safe Place Therapy and look forward to having her support individuals as they work toward their personal goals.
Connect With Stephanie at Safe Place Therapy
If you've been thinking about starting therapy, we hope you'll consider reaching out.
Stephanie is accepting new clients aged 17 and older and offers evening and weekend availability, which may be especially helpful if daytime appointments don't fit your schedule.
Whether you're looking for support with anxiety, working through difficult past experiences, hoping to build self-confidence, or navigating a challenging period in your life, Stephanie aims to provide a supportive space where you can explore what you're experiencing and work toward meaningful change.
You don't have to wait until things feel unmanageable to seek support, and you don't have to figure everything out on your own.
Interested in working with Stephanie? Contact Safe Place Therapy to learn more about her availability or book a free 20-minute consultation using the button below. We'd be happy to help you determine whether Stephanie may be a good fit for your needs!
We're looking forward to welcoming you!
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