Meet Stephanie

Stephanie Spjuth, LCSW trauma therapist, OCD, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, attachment, inner child work, somatic work, healing, adult children of emotionally immature children.

Stephanie Spjuth, LCSW

FOUNDER | CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Welcome !

I’m so glad you’re here.

I started Hope Counseling because I believe every person deserves to have hope—not just for healing, but for living a life that feels meaningful, grounded, and truly yours.

I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University in 2017 and have worked in a wide range of clinical settings—from ERs and inpatient units to residential programs and outpatient care. Those experiences gave me a strong foundation in crisis work, clinical assessment, and long-term therapeutic support. But what continues to inspire my work the most is the courage people show up with—just by being willing to do the work.

My approach to therapy is laid-back but intentional. You’re in the driver’s seat—I’m here as your copilot. That means I’ll bring my training, tools, and experience to the table (and probably a few metaphors), but you get to decide the pace and direction. I’ll be the one to help you spot signs, notice detours, and say gently, “Hey, we may have just flown past something important.”

I’m a lifelong learner and forever curious—constantly studying new modalities, diving into books, podcasts, and research so I can better support the people I work with. I take this work seriously—but I also believe therapy can be a space for laughter, honesty, and a kind of realness we don’t always get in our everyday lives.

At Hope Counseling, my goal is to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and human. A place where healing and growth can actually happen. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, or just feeling stuck—I’m here to walk alongside you.

  • Close-up of purple lavender flowers with a blurred green background and hints of other colors.

    My Clinical Focus

    I specialize in working with individuals navigating the complexities of trauma, emotional overwhelm, and identity, with a particular focus on women, mothers, and those impacted by early attachment wounds or caregiving burnout.

    My areas of clinical focus include:

    Depression & Anxiety

    Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    Phobias and Intrusive Thoughts

    Attachment Wounds & Core Belief Work

    PTSD & Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

    Relationship and Boundary Challenges

    Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health

    Suicidality and Emotional Dysregulation

    Life Transitions, Grief, and Identity Shifts

    I understand how layered these experiences can be—especially when trauma, caregiving, or neurodivergence intersect with emotional isolation. My goal is to offer a nonjudgmental, affirming space where healing feels safe and sustainable.

  • Close-up of purple lavender flowers in a garden with green grass and blurred trees in the background.

    Modalities & Specialized Training

    I draw from a wide range of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and somatic modalities to tailor care to each client’s needs and nervous system. My training includes:

    EMDR – Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, including The Advanced Practice of EMDR for Perinatal & Infant Mental Health

    Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) – For healing unmet emotional needs and early childhood wounds

    Dissociation-Informed Therapy – Including ego states work and parts-based approaches

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) – Especially for anxiety and OCD

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness

    Somatic Therapy – Including body-based approaches for trauma, racialized trauma, and attachment wounds

    Attachment-Based Therapy – Working deeply with early relational patterns and nervous system regulation

    Integrative Attachment Family Therapy – Supporting intergenerational healing and connection

    Janina Fisher’s Trauma Treatment Certification (CCTP) – Specializing in treating complex trauma using Internal Family Systems (IFS) and sensorimotor approaches

    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment Specialist – Focused on best practices for OCD, ADHD, Tourette’s, tics, and related conditions

    Treating Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents – Completed Dr. Lindsay Gibson’s 3-Month Professional Training Certificate Program

     

Specialized Services with Stephanie

In addition to the services offered by our team, Stephanie also provides…

  • Two women having a conversation at a table in a bright room with large windows, one with curly hair and glasses, the other with straight hair.

    Clinical Supervision For Provisional Licensure & Clinical Internships

    I see supervision as a supportive, collaborative process that builds on each clinician’s unique strengths and needs. My focus is on fostering clinical growth, ethical practice, and confidence, while adapting supervision to align with personal goals. I strive to create a safe and encouraging space where new clinicians and interns can learn, grow, and improve.

    I follow Colorado’s supervision requirements and also offer placements for students. Interns can expect a practical, supportive environment centered on professional growth and client care. My commitment is to guide future clinicians and help them succeed in their work and development.

  • emotional support animal psychiatric service dog

    ESA and PSD Clinical Evaluations

    I provide professional evaluations for Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSD) as an integrated component of ongoing, comprehensive mental health treatment.

    My assessment process adheres strictly to federal guidelines—including the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—and is rooted in the determination of clinical necessity and therapeutic benefit.

    Clinical Eligibility and Standards:

    Qualifications: To qualify for a recommendation, clients must have a diagnosed mental health condition that substantially impacts one or more major life activities.

    PSD Requirements: For Psychiatric Service Dog evaluations, clients must be actively engaged in a comprehensive treatment plan. Additionally, the animal must be individually trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate the client’s disability and must meet all public access standards.

    Ethical Framework: All recommendations are issued exclusively within the context of an established, genuine therapeutic relationship.

    Strategic Partnership with CertaPet In addition to my private practice, I am a contracted provider with CertaPet, the industry leader in compliant telehealth documentation since 2015. Led by veteran clinician Prairie Conlon, LPC, NCC, CertaPet is the first platform to provide 100% compliant ESA documentation from state-licensed mental health professionals.

    Through this partnership, I facilitate ESA documentation for eligible individuals residing in Arizona, Arkansas and Nevada. CertaPet’s commitment to legitimacy and clinical integrity is evidenced by their industry-leading standards:

    Verified Expertise: 100% of evaluations are conducted by state-licensed mental health professionals.

    Proven Reliability: With over 278,000 successful clients, CertaPet letters maintain a 99.7% acceptance rate with housing providers.

    By combining clinical rigor with CertaPet’s streamlined platform, I ensure that clients receive documentation that is both ethically sound and legally robust.

Personalized therapy to address anxiety, depression, and personal growth

Let’s work together

Interested in working together? Stephanie is currently on a waitlist but can chat, add you, or offer referrals.

Fill out your info and she’ll be in touch soon.