Dr. Stephanie Jordan (Steph)

Clinical Director and Owner of Leaves of Change Counseling | she/they
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Virgo

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Taurus

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Capricorn

Ask me about…

My squad of thera-pups, RuPaul’s Drag Race, astrology, body mods, and whether Mercury is in retrograde or not. 🪐🌙

Clinical Interests:

I enjoy working with queer and neurodivergent folx. Particular populations I enjoy working with are: mood disorders, self harm, suicidal ideation, issues around self esteem or identity, trauma, and/or co-occurring disorders. I enjoy working with adults, adolescents, children, and parents!

Language(s) spoken:

English

Licensed in:

CT, VT, MA

Welcome to Leaves of Change Counseling!

My name is Steph, and I am your favorite therapist’s favorite therapist™. At a time when the world feels on fire, I work with clients to ensure they know that they are not alone. I walk with my clients on their journey in a safe, supportive environment. I help my clients navigate life’s challenges from healing past trauma to empowering clients to become their own catalyst for change. I am honored to be a part of my client’s story and to have the privilege to work with such magical, resilient individuals.

What brought you into this field?

I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a therapist but it wasn’t until high school that I realized that I wanted to specialize in working with adolescents. As a youth, my parents put my queerling, witchy, NB and neurospicy self into Catholic school. It was hard to find my place until my sophomore year of high school. My high school music teacher changed my life by providing a listening ear and guidance. I felt accepted and seen. I realized that I wanted to pay that experience forward and help others feel like they are not alone.

Counseling style:

I practice from a relational, trauma-informed, sex-positive and fat-positive lens. My style is eclectic, and I tailor therapeutic modalities to each client’s individual needs. I am warm, empathetic, and can be known to drop an “F bomb” in session. I believe in using a strength-based approach to empower my clients and use humor during sessions when appropriate to do so.

Modalities:

I practice from a person-centered and culturally sensitive (anti-racist) approach. I individualized modalities to support my client’s specific needs. I use modalities and interventions including: CBT, DBT, attachment theory, relational-cultural therapy, sex therapy, queer theory and parts work. Additionally, if/when in-person sessions resume for Leaves of Change Counseling, I plan to have my sweet therapy pups available for animal-assisted therapy.

Specializations:

I specialize in working with clients who are queer, gender diverse, kinky, ENM, witchy and/or neurospicy. I greatly enjoy working with clients who are adolescent-aged or young adults. My caseload includes individuals who have complex trauma and dissociation.
I plan to become an AASECT sex therapist in the future. I help clients to overcome barriers and feel empowered sexually. I work with clients who are or who have been sex workers and have provided support for clients who are looking to leave “the life.”

Education:

BA in Psychology from Westfield State University
M.Ed in Counseling from Springfield College (Dual track program in mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy)
Ed.D in Educational Psychology from American International College

Past Experience:

I worked for the Department of Youth Services at the Terri Thomas Girls Program for four years. I worked with female-identified youth ages 11-21 in a juvenile detention and revocation setting. My experience at TTGP solidified my belief in abolitionism and provided me the honor of working with the most resilient badass kiddos. I learned extensively how to respond effectively in crises and navigate client care through multiple state agencies (DCF, DMH, DYS). 
During my time at TTGP, I was awarded the 2017 “Eyes of Courage” award through the Center of Human Development, which was one of the greatest honors of my counseling career.

Trainings:

I have attended several trainings, including working with psychiatric survivors from a harm reduction perspective, suicide assessment and prevention and working with individuals who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation through My Life My Choice. 
I am trained in working with individuals who are gang-involved and/or have been involved in commercial sexual exploitation. I am comfortable working with youth and families involved with DCF, DYS, or DMH.