Stephanie Stevens

What is your name?

Welcome! Thank you for stopping by and reading my profile. My name is Stephanie Stevens. I am a registered provisional psychologist who has extensive experience working with individuals (15 years +), couples and families in the therapeutic setting. I am a strong advocate for my clients and passionate about building effective therapeutic relationships. I collaboratively work with my clients to aid them in overcoming their challenges and reaching a state that fosters positive change and improved functioning. Being present in the "now" is an important mantra for me and utilizing that to build trust in a safe space with my clients.

Over the past two decades, I have been in the dental field, as a dental hygienist, and recently retired from the dental field. Working in this environment, it gave me strong skills to be compassionate and empathetic to clients' anxieties and phobias. Over the past 3 years as a Provisional Psychologist, I have grown my strengths and skills as a therapist and built my private practice. I am excited to be part of the ShiftGrit team.

What do you do at Shift?

As a Registered Provisional Psychologist, it is my goal to work with my clients to identify and interrupt their negative limited beliefs and thought processes by disrupting these negative beliefs through a pattern theory approach. I build effective therapeutic relationships to support my clients to improve their mood, reduce their anxiety, work through conflict, alter their thinking & outlook, and regulate their emotions. I approach my work primarily from a cognitive behavioural and emotionally focused therapy lens. I incorporate techniques in mindfulness, meditation & breathing, which I find helpful in helping clients regulate their negative emotions and have an overall better quality of life. I have training in Accelerate Resolution Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy and Psychological Approach to Couples Therapy.

What are your academic credentials?

I graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1995 with a BA in Psychology (Major) and Honours in Sociology. I then took prerequisites to apply for Social Work at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick. At the same time, I applied to get into Dental Hygiene and got accepted into Dalhousie University in Halifax Nova Scotia. I graduated from Dalhousie University in 1998 and have been working in the dental field for 26 years. I recently retired and have put all of my eggs into the psychology field. I received my Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in 2021 and have been working as a counsellor, now provisional psychologist (September 2023). I am a registered member of the College of Alberta Psychologists.

Why did you decide to become a therapist?

At an early age, I have always been the friend that everyone would go to with their problems. Whether it be family or interpersonal relationships, they trusted me to confide in and be there for them. I have always been inspired by the "helping profession" and how the brain works. My not getting into Social Work led me to help others in the dental field for over 26 years. During that time, I have volunteered many hours in various organizations and worked at the Distress Center. My own experience with therapy to my passion for helping others have led me to ShiftGrit. I bring my skills and talent to the therapeutic setting to help my clients recognize their goals, manifest their vision, and succeed.

What do you bring to your therapy sessions, and what are some goals?

Taking the first step to show up to therapy sessions is a win and I am here to ease my client's anxieties by making them feel safe and comfortable. I am a very confident person who is direct but sensitive to my client's needs. I am here to work with my clients to explore their issues, and goals and challenge them to be successful in their daily lives. I take this approach so that my clients are comfortable enough to be their authentic selves. My goal is to support my clients to feel those "wins", and have a better quality of life

Some common Goals:

• Reducing anxiety and phobias
• Becoming emotionally regulated
• Setting healthier boundaries/S.M.A.R.T goals
• Working through trauma and attachment issues
• intimiate and interpersonal, familial concerns/conflicts

Who do you work with?

I work with clients 12-17 years of age with ShiftGrit program and adults 18-75 +.

Clients who have the following:

• ADHD
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Phobias (dental and other)
• Relationships
• Intimacy issues
• Midlife issues (menopausal, mens issues as well).
• Grief and Loss of loved one or pet/ relationship.

My availability is Mondays and Tuesdays 9-3pm and Thursday evenings 3-9 pm

Why are you passionate about what you do?

I have always been passionate about helping others and learning what makes people personally know life isn't easy and e tick. I'm fascinated by the brain/body connection and how we as individuals can struggle and succeed. I love seeing individuals succeed and it is my goal to support them to make that happen. I personally know life isn't easy. HOWEVER, I have faith that we can all succeed if we have the right supports in our lives. I enjoy building a trusting safe environment for my clients to be their authentic selves and strive to be better.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends. Getting together for BBQ's or playing bard games. Most of my family are in the Maritimes so the family I do have in AB is important to see as much as I can. When I'm with family or friends I enjoy being outdoors in nature whether it be hiking, anything in and on the water, drives through the mountains, trying the restaurants or recipes.

I am a huge animal lover and have 3 fur babies. I have two large dogs that take me for walks everyday and my cat, who thinks she's a dog, who runs the household..
I enjoy true crime and watching documentaries. Huge Star Wars fan and enjoy watching stand up comedy or going to a live show.

What is a skill that you are currently working on?

I'm currently studying for the EPPP, which is my final hurdle to become a fully registered psychologist. I am working through my own anxieties while studying for this beast of a board exam. Not going to lie, I'm recognizing my own anxieties and inability to focus. I am aiming to have it completed by the end of January 2025. I'm also taking courses in Sex Therapy online. I love broadening my skills and learning new techniques.

What motivates or inspires you?

I am inspired by indiivduals who rise above their situational demises and strive to be in a better place. I have witnessed clients overcome these struggles by slowly jumping over their hurdles in life with my guidance and having other support systems in place.

I have had my own struggles and I know how important it is to seek professional help and have good support systems in place in order to succeed in this thing called life. I'm motivated to support others on their mental and physical health journey in order to have a better quality of life. This enhances my own need to continuously be better and be present in the NOW.

What are your additional areas of clinical interest?

Enhancing my clinical skills through continuing education courses and personal development. Building future clients awareness of mental health and how it is important to gain self love and let go of negative self talk.

Additional Qualifications

Your qualifications, such as certifications and licenses, are not just titles—they’re proof of your commitment and expertise in mental health.

• Registered Provisional Psychologist - College of Alberta Psychologists
• ART Level 1 trained
• PACT Level 1 trained
• Registered Dental Hygienist- College of Alberta Dental Hygienists

Do you have any lived or personal experiences that can be utilized in therapy with you?

I have gone to therapy myself for many years to work on my own issues and become a more confident person. I've had a lot of loss in my life (family members, friends and pets) I grew up with family addictions and toxic relationships.

What's one podcast that you like and why?

Joe Dispenza. I love his approach to rewire the brain to help get rid of limiting beliefs

What's one book that you like and why?

Brene Browns "Atlas of the Heart". Focuses on human connections and how/why they are important to have as individuals.

What's one quote that you like and why?

Viktor Frankl quote “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.” It shows us that we need to understand the why in order to gain the how.

Available for:

Anxiety-related symptoms (GAD, Phobia, Panic, Social, etc.) | BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) | Depression | Exposure Therapy | Inter-generational trauma | Grief and Loss | Building boundaries | Attachment concerns | PTSD | Self Esteem | Stress and Burnout | Boundary Adherence | Life Changes | Grief | Stress & Burnout | and much more...