Therapy
Stephanie McKinley, LCSW
Professional Bio
With over 25 years of dedicated service in the field of mental health and wellness, Stephanie McKinley is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has profoundly impacted the lives of countless individuals and families. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Florida Atlantic University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, and is a proud member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Stephanie has devoted her career to empowering others through compassionate care, advocacy, and innovative program development. Stephanie’s private practice is grounded in empathy, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping individuals, couples and families navigate life’s challenges and achieve personal growth.
Career Highlights and Experience
Stephanie’s career began with a focus on supporting youth aging out of the foster care system, working with 13- to 23-year-olds to help them transition to independent living. She not only provided direct support as a life coach and therapeutic mentor but also wrote grants and developed comprehensive independent living programs that have been instrumental in shaping the futures of many young people.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has been an active advocate for at-risk youth, serving on numerous task forces and steering committees in Broward and Palm Beach counties, Florida. Her advocacy work also includes training other social workers to effectively connect with and support at-risk populations.
Stephanie’s leadership skills were further honed as the Clinical Director at a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Outpatient Program (OP) substance dependence treatment center. In this role, she emphasized life skills development and addressing underlying mental health issues. She later became the Executive Clinical Director at a 70-bed inpatient treatment center, where she led a multidisciplinary team in providing comprehensive care for individuals struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders.
In 2014, Stephanie opened her private practice, bringing her extensive experience and holistic approach to a wider audience. She specializes in trauma resolution, anxiety, depression, addiction, life transitions, and offers individual, family, and couples therapy. Stephanie is also an advocate for mental health awareness and regularly conducts workshops and seminars on topics such as stress management, self-care, and building healthy relationships.
Personal Philosophy
Stephanie believes that therapy is a collaborative process and that every individual has the capacity for change and healing. She is dedicated to empowering her clients by helping them build resilience, develop coping strategies, and foster a sense of self-awareness and self-compassion. Stephanie’s empathetic approach allows her to connect deeply with her clients, facilitating a therapeutic journey that is both transformative and affirming.
Therapeutic Approach
Stephanie’s therapeutic approach is strengths-based and holistic, incorporating elements of yoga, mindfulness, and stress reduction techniques. She is adept at using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based practices to help clients achieve lasting change. Stephanie’s practice also emphasizes the importance of family systems and early childhood experiences in shaping one’s mental health and well-being. Her therapeutic style is client-centered, focusing on creating a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Stephanie is particularly skilled in working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.
Specialties and Services
✔ Trauma Resolution
✔ Anxiety and Depression
✔ Addiction and Recovery
✔ Life Transitions
✔ Individual, Family, and Couples Therapy
✔ Holistic Wellness (including yoga and mindfulness)
✔ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
✔ Stress Reduction Techniques
Community Involvement and Personal Interests
A passionate advocate for mental health, Stephanie continues to be actively involved in her community, supporting mental health initiatives and providing training and mentorship to other professionals. Stephanie volunteers her time as a manager of crisis response teams to respond to natural disasters across the country. Her personal interests include hiking, yoga, mindfulness meditation, and traveling. These personal interests not only enrich her own life but also inform her therapeutic practice, as she often incorporates elements of mindfulness and holistic wellness into her sessions.
Contact Information
Stephanie McKinley is currently accepting new clients for virtual sessions. She is dedicated to helping individuals, couples and families navigate their unique challenges and achieve their personal and therapeutic goals.