Stephanie Carpenter, LMHCA • she/they
MEET STEPHANIE
Every emotion deserves room. So do you.
Trauma-informed, person-centered counseling that makes space for what you’re feeling and supports the changes you want to make.
Sometimes you need help finding ways to cope. Sometimes you need somewhere to untangle your thoughts, feel something fully, or say what you’ve been keeping to yourself. We can make room for all of it.
Accepting new clients
Appointments available Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
IN-PERSON IN FORT WAYNE • TELEHEALTH ACROSS INDIANA
BEYOND THE THERAPY CHAIR
Community, creativity, and a little room to breathe.
Outside the therapy room, you’ll often find me exploring a local hidden gem, spending time in a park, or enjoying Fort Wayne’s creative community. Art, connection, and small moments of peace help me feel grounded and I value making room for those things even when life is complicated.
That same appreciation for connection shapes my work as a therapist. I want you to have a place where you can feel understood, explore what matters to you, and find ways forward that fit your life.
Born and raised in Indiana, I’ve called Fort Wayne home for more than a decade. I earned my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and returned in 2020 to serve this community. My experience includes supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals, people navigating eating disorders or crises, and those facing financial hardship and barriers to care.
WHO I WORK WITH
You don’t have to leave parts of yourself at the door.
Maybe you’re looking for a therapist who welcomes your LGBTQIA+ identity, understands a complicated relationship with food or your body, or can help when life feels overwhelming.
You might feel at home here if…
✦ You’re looking for a place where your identity is respected and your experiences are taken seriously.
✦ You need room for emotions that feel complicated, uncomfortable, or difficult to explain.
✦ You want support navigating your relationship with food, eating, or your body.
✦ You’re carrying stress that is connected to your circumstances, not simply something you can think your way out of.
✦ You’re ready for something to change, even if you’re unsure what that looks like yet.
You don’t need to know exactly what to ask for. We can begin by figuring that out together.
HOW I WORK
Room to feel. Support to grow.
I believe we all have a role in shaping change in our lives. That doesn’t mean change is easy or that you should have to make it happen alone.
Person-Centered & Humanistic
Your experiences, values, and priorities help guide our work. I bring curiosity and support as we explore what matters to you and what you want to be different.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Ever feel like part of you wants to say yes while another part wants to turn off your phone and disappear? IFS gives us a way to understand those competing reactions. We’ll get curious about what each part is trying to protect and help you respond with more compassion and choice.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
For moments when your emotions turn the volume up to eleven. DBT offers practical tools for getting through hard moments, understanding your feelings, asking for what you need, and navigating conflict.
EMDR
Sometimes you know something is over, but a reminder still makes it feel like it’s happening now. EMDR uses a structured process that may include guided eye movements, taps, or sounds to help you work through distressing memories. We begin with preparation and support, and you stay involved in decisions about the pace.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Your mind can be a very convincing storyteller. ACT helps you notice difficult thoughts without letting them make every decision. We’ll practice making room for uncomfortable feelings while moving toward the people, experiences, and values that matter to you.
Psychoeducation
The “Oh, that explains a lot” part of therapy. We’ll unpack how stress, emotions, and familiar patterns work, then connect that information to your life. Understanding what’s happening can help you feel less lost and make more informed choices about what to try next.
Whatever you’re feeling, even if you can’t quite name it yet, there’s room for it here.
Ready When You Are