Behind Minding You...

Hello! 

First, let me get the formalities out of the way...As you have guessed, I am Stephanie Higdon, the owner and therapist behind Minding You. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I take great honor that you are considering allowing me to intervene in the journey of your life. 

 Secondly, while I may have some letters behind my name, I too live in the same world you live in and face similar challenges as you, everyday. I will share that my “normal” life feels anything but "normal". I can relate to feeling disconnected at times and often lost in the daily chaos of my own life.  However, I have learned ways to cope, organize, manage and be aware of these "issues". Although it is not always easy, I work hard daily to bring order and peace to my life. You can learn to do this also.  

Does any of this sound familiar to you?  I think it might. Whether you are male or female, a dad or mom, a husband, wife or life partner, I am pretty sure you can relate. I think we all agree that living this “normal“ life is anything but ideal and you may struggle quite often just to find a sense of peace and saneness in your life! I sincerely understand the challenges to living a life that makes sense, one that's driven by goals and values (and not just driven by stress and chaos!) and that feels good...that feels complete. 

As a therapist (who, if you have not gathered by now, is a very real person also), my time spent with clients is candid and genuine to the needs of each individual .  It is my aim to create a safe, peaceful space where you can drop the mask (not literally during these COVID times, if you don't choose to!) and begin to not only reveal, but heal, your true self. Your stories, your needs, your darkest hours, and your brightest moments take center stage when you are in my office. I bring an open mind, respect, kindness, and honest feedback to each session we have together with the results being that you feel heard, find personal acceptance and feel empowered to make the desired changes in your life.

Usually, just from our first session together, it will be clear to you that I absolutely love what I do and that I care about your overall wellbeing.  I became a therapist because through all my own life experiences, I learned that it takes skill and courage to live a life you love and to thrive! I know all too well that at the end of some days, it can all be summed up to life just not being easy - or fun- sometimes. And it’s even harder to figure out where things went wrong, much less how to make them right again! Am I correct? 

I offer individualized and supportive mental health counseling, unbiased evaluations, and court-ordered therapy or classes that are driven to meet your most urgent short-term needs, while also focused on building your long-term goals and supporting your brightest visions into the picture. I most commonly work with clients experiencing trauma symptoms, anxiety, depression, facing feelings of overwhelm and unmanageable stress, struggling with anger management, in need of relapse prevention support or substance abuse treatment, as well as those who just desire to improve their overall well being. I am passionate about helping clients secure a path to lifelong happiness through improved emotional stability and learning how to manage / reduce impairing symptoms of mental health challenges. 

For those struggling with addiction, I am dedicated to doing all I can to save lives and develop strong relapse prevention skills while supporting ongoing recovery stability. I am a DBHDD State approved DUI clinical evaluator as well as an ASAM certified Drug and Alcohol evaluator and Level One substance abuse treatment provider. 

Prior to establishing Minding You in 2017, I worked in a clinical therapy setting for 4 years focusing on treating addictions, depression, anxiety, and trauma/ PTSD. Before the start of my clinical career, I spent 15 years of navigating and working with the policies of the Department of Family and Children Services. I left DFCS in 2014 to pursue a clinical path that would allow me to touch lives using the interventions I felt clients and families needed most. My DFCS experience hails from working in all program areas that served abused and neglected children, and entailed working closely with each family, the children, extended family, law enforcement, offering court testimony and conducting sexual abuse forensic interviews.