Stephanie Gast (She/Her)

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #117339

Supervised by: Jacqueline Plante, Director (CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #91084)

what is your role at Gather and Grow Oc?

I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Gather and Grow OC. My role is to create a non-judgmental space filled with empathy, understanding, and unconditional acceptance. I support folks in bringing their destructive matters of the mind into a loving consciousness by helping them gain insight and tools to tame the mind with persistence, compassion, kindness, and strength. As a therapist, I believe I have a commitment to my own healing and growth. As well as the honor and responsibility of being a lifelong learner.

school and training history

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Human Sexuality from California State University Northridge. From there, I received my Master of Science in Counseling with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Long Beach. I completed my traineeship at Jewish Family & Children’s Services in Long Beach where I had the privilege of working with individuals, couples, and families of a wide range of ages (6 to 65), cultural backgrounds, religions, genders, and sexual orientations. Prior to completing my Master’s, I worked as a sex educator and counselor in adolescent residential mental health facilities. Now, I have the pleasure of working under supervision in private practice.

individual focus

Using an Attachment-based lens, I help folks understand & process family roles, relationship dynamics & survival mechanisms that no longer serve them. I specialize in supporting those struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional overwhelm, relationship issues, & other forms of inner child wounds. In order to feel safe & have our needs met, we may adopt behaviors such as conflict avoidance, people-pleasing, perfectionism, etc. Once needed to survive, as we get older, these protective mechanisms can cause states of depression/anxiety, stunt us from growing, & (unconsciously) recreate relationship patterns from our childhood.

I guide folks through inner child work, which is a way of treating presenting problems by addressing the root of our issues. With a heart-centered approach, I guide people through the shadow integration process of uncovering & embracing their wounded parts with love, compassion, & acceptance. My approach can be considered a reparenting process in which I support you in learning to become your own loving caregiver. Helping you deepen your understanding of yourself, cultivate self-compassion, & discover new ways to relate to yourself & others. I provide a safe, validating space for you to tend to your inner child to reconnect with your true self.

what excites you about being part of the gather and grow oc community?

Before I found Gather and Grow OC, I didn’t know a space like this could exist. Traci and Jacqueline have created a sanctuary of healing and support that translates, not only to the community, but to the entire GGOC Team. I’m excited to grow alongside such a supportive, inclusive, and affirming group of clinicians. This is my dream job and I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of this team.

currently scheduling clients Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoon.

POSTS FROM STEPHANIE…

A Letter from Stephanie

Hi there, my name is Stephanie! I’m an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist at Gather and Grow OC.

I went into the counseling field to become the therapist I wish I had during my hardships. Through my own battles with depression and anxiety, I developed the deep compassion and understanding to sit with people in their darkest moments. From personal experience, I know that the mind can be a place of peace and creativity but also one of pain and destruction.

Our minds can be trained to understand, defend, and protect the heart. However, it does not have the ability to feel our emotions, feel what is meaningful, and experience the power of rising above the discomfort of facing our fears. The system in which we live was not constructed to support a life led by the inclinations of the heart. Rather, we are expected for our minds to dominate to keep calm and carry on. When there is a disconnection or imbalance between the mind and the heart, we can feel confused, paralyzed, and uncomfortable. If the mind overpowers us, it can lead us to doubt our hearts and operate from a place of fear.

I support and guide people as they observe their habitual patterns of thinking and how they respond to their emotions. I assist in the unlearning process of letting go of past conditioning that has been disempowering. I help people change the way they relate to their minds and heart so they can step into their innate power.

Using my laid-back and gentle-humored nature, I create a space that feels comfortable and safe for you to explore. Therapy can be a vulnerable space asking you to be open-minded, honest, and self-aware. I strive to be just as transparent, honest, and authentic as I encourage you to be.

This can be a space for you to heal past wounds and let go of limiting or toxic behaviors. A space where you can discover, expand, and deepen your understanding of yourself. A place for you to navigate life’s challenges and explore higher meanings in life. A sanctuary where you can uncover your desires, resolve inner roadblocks, and connect to your truest and most authentic self.

I look forward to speaking with you and supporting you on your life’s journey.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

You can contact Stephanie directly at (714) 519-6459 or stephanie@gatherandgrowoc.com. View other therapist profiles HERE.