Profile / United States
Stephanie Howard, LCSW
California
LCSW - Anxiety and Trauma
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Psychodynamic approaches
- Parenting and stress
About Stephanie
Stephanie Howard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 17 years of practice experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, trauma and abuse, and depressive symptoms.
Stephanie trained at the University of California, Berkeley, where she completed her master's degree. She has worked across inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, schools, and community non-profits and clinics. That variety shapes a practical, real-world approach to sessions.
Her work draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychodynamic ideas. In a typical session she notices unhelpful thoughts and habits, talks through where they come from, and tries out different responses. Conversations are directed toward clear goals and steps people can use between meetings.
Sessions often focus on concrete problems such as managing anxiety, coping with grief, handling workplace stress, or navigating parenting challenges. She also addresses complex issues like trauma, addictions, bipolar mood concerns, and compassion fatigue with attention to how these affect day-to-day functioning.
Stephanie favors a strengths-based, client-centered stance. That means she listens for practical skills and existing resources, and builds on them while shaping a plan. Progress is checked regularly and adjusted based on what is working.
People can expect straightforward discussion about symptoms, patterns, and short-term strategies alongside deeper exploration of past experiences when that helps. Stephanie aims to balance problem-solving with understanding the roots of recurring difficulties.
How CBT and Psychodynamic Work in Online Sessions
Stephanie blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychodynamic work in concrete, practical ways. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety, stress, and low mood. It is goal-oriented and often uses homework between sessions to practice skills. Psychodynamic work looks at patterns that repeat over time and how past experiences shape current reactions. This approach helps when people want to understand why certain problems keep returning, such as relationship patterns or longstanding low self-esteem. Finding the right approach is part of therapy. Stephanie will collaborate with each person to match methods to their needs, goals, and preferences. That may mean relying more on CBT for immediate symptom relief or bringing in psychodynamic exploration when deeper patterns are relevant. Confirm session formats before booking since the profile does not list them. Online options can make it easier to fit sessions into a workday, handle shorter check-ins, or avoid travel time. They can also help when someone prefers not to be on camera or needs a lower-bandwidth option. Talk about practical scheduling and format needs during the first appointment to find an arrangement that fits everyday life.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What problems does she commonly address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, parenting, trauma and abuse, depression, and related issues such as grief and workplace problems.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits, try new responses, and practice skills between sessions to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.
What is her clinical background and experience?
Stephanie has 17 years of experience working in inpatient and outpatient mental health, schools, and community non-profits and clinics.
What credentials does she hold and where is she located?
She holds an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) credential in California and practices there.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and what about formats?
Confirm current session formats before booking; the profile advises checking available options prior to scheduling a first session.
How does cost and getting started work?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule the first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.