“I was a client of Stephene VandenBrink’s from July 2016 to January 2017. During that time, I was half-way through a masters degree program in counseling at a local graduate school and was coming to terms with some newly disclosed family trauma.

Stephene created a safe space for me to be broken and vulnerable in the midst of some of my darkest and most overwhelming months. She provided practical exercises to help me manage negative self talk and anxious thoughts. During my time with her I saw tangible growth in both of those areas.

I would highly recommend Stephene to anyone— whether you have seen multiple therapists or are venturing into therapy for the first time.

She is a kind, caring, and truly empathetic counselor who humbly approaches her clients and listens to their needs.”

“I am a long-time friend of Stephene VandenBrink and have observed her life and practice over years. She is a deeply caring therapist whose empathy, constancy, and wisdom have had a tremendous impact on the lives of her clients. I have personally worked alongside her in groups with women who have survived traumatic events. These women received insight, hope, and courage through her leadership.

I am happy to recommend her to anyone looking for a way forward.”

“Before I began meeting with Stephene, I had dabbled with seeking counseling and had found it only slightly or not helpful at all.

I found the counselors to be nice, but I didn’t feel I could truly connect with them. I wanted a counselor that felt truly trustworthy, that I really connected with, and that didn’t just view me as a paycheck.

In my day-to-day life, anger, fears, overwhelming emotions, and tears were ready to spring to the surface at a moment’s notice. Most of all I felt deeply broken and beyond repair. It was all consuming. I felt that no one would love me if they really knew me.

Then I started meeting with Stephene for counseling. My pain, grief, fears, and brokenness were met with compassion. Lies I had believed about myself and others were slowly dismantled. It was then that I started to learn how to accept my own humanity. I started to learn how to care for myself.

Stephene’s compassionate personality and years of expertise met in a way that created holistic healing.

I have found hope and profound healing. I couldn’t be more thankful. ”

“I began seeing Stephene for counseling at a time in my life when the struggles I thought I had previously worked through with a different therapist were coming back to the surface in my life.

It was easy to be real with Stephene, even when that real was sometimes ugly. She pushed me in ways that I had not been pushed, but never without grace, compassion, and lots of patience.

With her help, I was able to walk away from shame and eventually take responsibility in learning and applying skills that would help me decrease my anxiety, regulate emotion, and tolerate distressing situations.

I highly recommend Stephene and am extremely thankful for the role she has had in my life.”