Stephanie Petersen, LCSW, LMSW

Stephanie Petersen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with 14 years of experience. She practices with plain, practical support and helps people who are coping with grief, life changes, stress, anxiety, addiction, and issues around self-esteem and relationships. Stephanie aims to teach coping skills and to work collaboratively toward realistic goals.

She trained with a Bachelor of Social Work from Oakland University and a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. Her background includes medical social work in hospital settings and home health, which informs how she talks about illness, chronic pain, and caregiver stress. Since 2020 she has been working as a telehealth therapist based in Missouri while holding licensure across state lines.

In sessions she blends practical talk with skill building. She uses cognitive behavioral ideas to look at thoughts and behaviors and mindfulness practices to help people notice and steady their reactions. Motivational interviewing and psychodynamic ideas shape conversations about patterns, values, and what motivates change.

Her work often covers complicated life challenges such as aging and geriatric issues, cancer, chronic illness, blended family concerns, and recovery from domestic violence or substance-related problems. She also supports people facing attachment and abandonment wounds, parenting stress, and career or commitment doubts.

Stephanie keeps the tone encouraging and nonjudgmental. She aims to be a steady presence who helps people try new coping strategies. Outside of work she enjoys reading, travel, movies, music, martial arts, gardening, and time with her French bulldogs.

How her approaches translate to online work

Stephanie commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in straightforward, skills-focused ways. ACT involves clarifying personal values and learning to take steps toward them even when feelings are difficult; this can help with stress, grief, and long-term health challenges. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with real-life experiments to change behavior and reduce anxiety or low mood.

She also brings mindfulness techniques into sessions to help people notice bodily sensations, stress responses, and moment-to-moment thoughts. These practices can ease reactivity and are useful for coping with chronic pain, illness, or caregiving strain. Choosing the right mix of methods is collaborative; the therapist will work with the client to test what helps, adjust goals, and pick strategies that fit the person’s everyday life.

The original biography notes telehealth experience but does not list specific current session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Many people find online work helps fit therapy into busy schedules, makes shorter check-ins possible during a work break, or reduces travel time. Online sessions allow consistent, scheduled time to practice skills learned in session and to check progress between visits.