Stephanie Avina, LMFT
Hello, I'm so glad you are here!
I'm Stephanie Avina, the owner and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Avina Counseling Services.
I have a passion for the community and providing better mental healthcare, which is why I started Avina Counseling Services. Too many people I knew complained about the care they were receiving and I know it should be better, their experiences could be better. I want to break down stigmas and barriers associated with mental healthcare.
My passion lies in working with children and adolescents by providing play and art therapy. I strive to create an environment where they feel heard, validated, and empowered to express themselves, so they know how to better communicate with you as their caregiver.
I draw upon many years of experience and training to approach each client with empathy and a deep understanding of the unique challenges you may be facing. My training and experience with trauma, depression, anxiety, and addressing suicidal thoughts reflects my dedication to addressing the complex interplay of mental health factors. I am committed to staying informed about the latest research and therapeutic techniques, ensuring that my clients receive the most effective and evidence-based interventions.
I believe we are all trying to thrive and do the best we can. I recognize this can become difficult at times, especially when we are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, confused, burnt out, or feeling so lost in all of life's problems. Sometimes, it even those deep-seated beliefs, often created in our early years that can shape our outlook as well, like thinking "I don't belong" or "people can't be trusted." In these moments of anxiety, one might feel the weight of "I am a failure." The empowering truth is that these beliefs, though they may feel absolute, can actually be challenged. Despite their grip, they are largely untrue and can be reshaped to align with the person you aspire to be and the meaningful purpose you envision for your life.
You are the expert of your story, and together I will help you rewrite your narrative, and create the stepping stones to the path you want to achieve. Sometimes it means gaining an outside perspective and helping you understand all the pieces, so the puzzle of your life will start to make sense and come together. This process involves healing from past traumas, learning to trust your inner voice again, and learning to move forward. But it will take some work from you too, some vulnerability and honesty as you step into these hard feelings and past experiences. I will provide you with the tools and resources to do this safely so that you feel supported. My goal is to promote emotional well-being by helping clients create a mind-body connection, diving deeper into their authentic selves, and maximizing their innate strengths and who they want to be.
I'm excited to get to know you and connect so that we can begin YOUR journey to healing, together.