My Approach and Practice....
​I believe in a tailored approach for each client I work with; depending on your goals for therapy and on the issues you bring in to session that day, my approach will vary to try and match what I think will serve you best in the moment and for your overall goals. ​​
I will be a good fit for you if you don't want to be in therapy forever - you are looking to 'graduate' with a new set of skills that can serve you long term. I will also be a good fit for you if you are okay with feedback and gentle challenges in order to grow (as opposed to a place where you just vent or practice fighting).
​​In general my belief is that I'm the expert on therapy, communication skills, and mental health but you are the expert on yourself - so a collaborative approach is necessary to figure out what is going to be best for you specifically.
More technically, you can expect that I might incorporate:
- communication tools from the Gottman method
- EFT approaches to bring clarity to the underlying issues that often get in the way of you using communication tools (hidden fears or shame, childhood wounds, or other traumas)
- Inspiration from therapists/writers such as Terry Real, Esther Perel, Brene Brown, or Emily Nagoski. ​
In sessions we will practice working through your specific obstacles so that communication tools are more effective for you. I am also a therapist that will give extra stuff to do outside of sessions if you are looking for that (might be book recommendations, questions to ask each other, journal prompts). ​​​​​I encourage my clients to take ownership of their therapy journey and that means if they would like to take notes, if they have extra questions, or if they want to bring in their own research to ask about, I'm good with that!
About Stephanie and Sage & Vine Counseling...
Hi! I’m Stephanie Wise and I’m the therapist behind Sage & Vine Counseling. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist based in California. My area of focus is with relationships, from building skills to find better relationships (social skills, confidence, etc) to working to reconnect with long-term partners that you have committed to building a life with. Previous clients have described me as warm yet direct; I believe in modeling the clear communication that I feel is beneficial in all relationships.
I believe that building stronger relationships within families leads to stronger individuals and more resilient communities. I'm drawn to this work because I believe that the powers of empathy and strong communication start at home and lead to a better world for all of us. I've been working in mental health for over 10 years and have been a therapist for the past 5 years.
Some random fun facts about me: I was born and raised on a farm in Canada. I'm an avid reader and writer of poems. I am married to a man who loves plants and I am the mother of a sassy little girl whose fav foods are blueberries and croissants. I don't like hikes that aren't loop trails. I work virtually because as of December 2024, I live on Kauai where my sister's family lives and where my husband grew up. I only ever buy fake plants for my house (why make life more stressful with real plants?) and the best part of my day is usually my morning or evening walk with my husband and daughter.
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Want to get to know me better? Check me out on instagram @sageandvinecounseling for more therapy takes/content or check out The Bloom and Banter Podcast hosted by myself and my sister for a more personal insight as we chat about life, relationships, and figuring it all out as we go.
My Credentials
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT142480)
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California. The requirements to obtain this licensure include a master's degree, 3000 hours of supervised experience as an associate therapist, a 2 hour state exam on law & ethics and a 4 hour state exam on clinical ability. This licensure also requires continuing education to maintain.
Specialized Training and Experience
I have several years of experience working in community mental health as a social worker in the community, working with the homeless population directly as well as working to manage a team of case workers in that field. I have experience working in schools with youth ages 7-20 as a mental health specialist. I have completed Gottman training in levels 1-3 as a couples therapist (it's amazing, ask me more about it if you don't know). In addition to this experience as well as my formal education and training, I have received specialized training in a variety of areas, including couples therapy, family therapy, child and play therapy, and trauma-informed approaches.
Continuing Education
I am committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the field of mental health. I regularly read books, articles and journals, attend conferences, workshops, and other training programs to expand my knowledge and skills. I do these things to try and be the best virtual couples therapist that I can be for you!
