3077 W. Jefferson St. Suite 204, Joliet, IL 60435
Stephanie Brands, LCSW
Co-Owner
Hi there! I’m Stephanie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (aka expert in holding space and sipping coffee simultaneously), licensed in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. I offer in person therapy to local clients and online therapy across all three states, which means you can chat with me from your couch, your car (parked, please), or even under a weighted blanket with your pet. I always enjoy meeting your furry (or not-so-furry) friends! My pets, Ellie and Mia, may make a cameo from time to time. They’re my unofficial emotional support team!
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A little about my experience: I graduated from Aurora University in 2017 with my Masters in Social Work. I’ve been in the mental health field since 2015, working in a variety of mental health settings. I have experience working in inpatient and outpatient settings with adolescents and adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anger, addiction, and more.
I use a mix of evidence-based tools like CBT, DBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing, but really, I believe in being human first, therapist second.
​In our sessions, expect honesty, empathy, a little humor, and probably a few “well that makes total sense” moments. I’m not into therapist-y jargon or robotic head-nods. I’ll be just as excited as you are when things go well, and I’ll be there with full support when life feels like a mess. Therapy with me is a space where you can be your full, unfiltered self, even if that self is still figuring things out (which, honestly, aren’t we all?).
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​I know therapy can feel weird or intimidating at first, but I do my best to make it feel like a safe, relaxed conversation, and even a little fun. My goal is to help you feel supported, understood, and equipped to handle life outside of our sessions. Bonus points if we can laugh a little along the way.
​Whether you're here to work through something big, make sense of things you’ve been carrying for a while, or just figure out what’s next, I’m here for it. I want therapy to be a space where you feel seen, supported, and empowered - not just in our sessions, but in your everyday life. And yes, we’ll talk about serious things, but we might also laugh, take deep breaths, have some “aha” moments, and celebrate the tiny wins (because those count!).
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Bottom line? You don’t have to do it all alone. If you're ready to start this journey (or even if you're just therapy-curious) I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Let’s make it meaningful, sprinkled with humor, and rooted in growth.