Stephanie Musa, LPC

Hi there. I’m Stephanie :)

I am also passionate about helping people rediscover what matters most to them and through this work have supported many high achieving professionals who are accomplished in their careers while also struggling with feeling exhausted, burned out, and disconnected from themselves and others. Many may struggle remembering the last time they felt relaxed, present, genuinely excited or even playful in their own life. Working together from an evidence based approach (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), we’ll explore your values and whether they’ve changed, come up with a roadmap of where to go, and develop strategies to manage difficult thoughts and feelings that emerge along the way to help you show up as the person you want to be in a life that matters to you.

It is a privilege to walk alongside you during this time in your life. I look forward to meeting you and helping you feel more connected to the life you want to live.

Education and Training

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona and my Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University before moving to the east coast and obtaining licensure in Virginia and Washington DC as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I have experience providing individual and group therapy in various clinical settings, including community mental health, crisis stabilization, and private practice. My professional background includes extensive training in evidence based treatments including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and high quality training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) at The Beck Institute. I am also an active member of local and national ACT Peer Supervision and ACT Consult Groups in order to continue to strengthen my skillset and provide you with research backed tools to help create change in your life.

Philosophy

I believe we are doing the best we can, and yet sometimes what we’re doing isn’t working or it’s not leading us in the direction we want for our life. It can feel exhausting trying to figure out what needs to change all on our own. My job is to help you feel supported, understood, and empowered as you find your way.  I believe therapy works best when people feel safe to be themselves which is why it’s important for us to build trust and a strong therapeutic relationship. This means getting to know you and how you see the world and being present with you by truly listening to where you have been and what brings you here now. Whether you’re new to therapy or a seasoned pro and seeking a different approach, this can take time and that’s okay. I practice curiosity over judgment and can leave room for both depth and playfulness in our work together.

In my work as a therapist I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help us conceptualize what is not working and define your personal goals. From there, each session is flexible to meet your unique needs. I’ll incorporate a variety of interventions that can help build awareness, willingness, and engagement. This can look like understanding the context in which patterns of behavior take place, developing compassion for difficult thoughts and feelings, acceptance of what cannot be changed, and taking action toward what can. 

Something I’ve learned is that when we start to feel disconnected from ourselves and others it can feel like we’re going through whatever life has thrown at us alone. This can set off all sorts of alarm or “symptoms” in our mind and body because people are hardwired for connection. Without it, our mental health suffers. Connection is as vital as food and water is for survival. My hope is that therapy can be a place where you feel less alone, where you feel supported and cared for, and where you feel empowered to try out new skills to navigate life’s challenges.

Specialty Areas

young adult mental health

I work with young adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and the many stressors that life can naturally bring during this stage of life, like your “first real job”, graduating college, moving to a new city, and making new friends. You might be exploring your own identity and it may or may not differ from how you were raised or what was generally expected of you. Therapy can be a supportive space to work through the uncertainty that comes with this stage of life and build confidence in the person you’re becoming.

I’m passionate about creating supportive spaces for young adults and lead a therapy group for young adults in their 20s. This group is a place where you will find comfort and connection in sharing your struggles with others who are going through similar experiences. This group is ongoing, so please reach out to us if you are interested! :)

therapy for college students

College can be an exciting and transformative time, but it can also bring its own set of challenges, from academic pressure, changing friendships, increased independence, and uncertainty about the future. I support college students coping with anxiety, depression, and adjusting to life changes, while helping them better understand and care for their mental health.

depression and anxiety in teens (16+)

I work with older teens who may be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious as they navigate academic pressures, preparing for college, and changing relationships. Therapy can be a space where you can talk openly about what you’re going through without judgment. We can also work on practical ways to manage stress and cope with some of the worries you may be experiencing.

therapy for high achieving professionals, lawyers, and executives

I work with high achieving professionals who are used to doing a lot and doing it well. Whether you’re an early-career lawyer, an executive, or in senior leadership, you may be exhausted and carrying a lot of responsibility while struggling to slow down, set limits, or step away from the feeling that there is always more you should be doing. In therapy we’ll take a closer look at the experiences and beliefs that have shaped you. We’ll practice stepping out of auto pilot, explore what matters to you, and make room for other values that can exist alongside achievement.

Professional Associations

American Counseling Association (ACA)

Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)

Mid Atlantic Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science 

The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA)

Additional Areas of Expertise

Adjusting to Life Transitions
Anxiety
Boundaries
Caregiver Burnout
Depression
Difficult emotions or moods
Generalized Anxiety
General Stress of Being Human
Life Stress
Life Transitions
Low Self Esteem
Mood disorders
Perfectionism
Personal Growth
Relationship and Communication Difficulties
Self-Care
Self-Criticism
Self-Esteem
Sensitivity
Social Anxiety
Stress Management
Struggling to Launch
Quarter Life Crisis
Young Adults

more ABOUT ME

Hobbies + what I like to do for fun!

When I'm not in session you can find me enjoying a novel or going on walks with my dog. I especially love exploring Rock Creek Park in DC! I also enjoy painting with watercolors. It's helped me to learn to go with the flow and embrace the "happy little accidents" that happen often when painting or learning a new skill!

Some of my favorite approaches and resources include

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an approach I like to use in therapy. The name reflects a key message--we work on accepting what is outside of our control and commit to taking actions that help us build the life we want for ourselves. One of my favorite resources is Values Clarification, where we explore together what is most important to you and help you connect with these in a way that is meaningful to you. Some values that resonate with me are: learning, fun, leisure, and nature.

What I love about hope+wellness

I love that Hope+Wellness encourages us clinicians to be our authentic selves. This helps me to be able to do the same for my clients. I strive to create a safe space where my clients can openly express and be their genuine self. Whether this means we're talking about our feelings, life stressors, life's pleasures, or being silly and having a good laugh! I believe that when we feel safe to be ourselves in therapy we can start to let go of what weighs us down, begin to see our true potential, and start doing the things that matter and are most important to us.

favorite QUOTES