Stephanie Bennett
Biography
Originally from the Chicago area, I moved to Grand Rapids in 2010. I may not be a Michigander by birth, but I have come to embrace this state as my home. Yes, I am a Calvin alum, and I am grateful for the opportunity to counsel in the very place that my counseling journey began. I have chosen to focus my time and energy counseling young adults because I recognize that these years are filled with difficult transitions and know that everyone needs a little help figuring out who they are and where they want to go.
In my free time, I can be found spending time with family and friends. I like to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have found social dancing, particularly salsa dancing, to be a great way to stay active. Don’t be surprised if you find me walking around campus or running laps; as a previous member of Calvin’s track team, it’s both stress-reducing and nostalgic.
I am passionate about purpose, identity, and self-worth. For me, purpose has always been about being a person who provides non-judgmental, unconditional care and acceptance to any and all who need it. This love is sourced by God Our Creator and First Love—the One who chose us and accepted us from the start.
Education
BA, Calvin University, Psychology, 2014
MA, Spring Arbor University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2018
Professional Experience
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I joined the Center for Counseling and Wellness in 2021 on a part-time basis, but I am not new to working with college students. I have been a part of a private practice downtown Grand Rapids since 2017 that serves all area college students. I am trained in EMDR, a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. I am also certified as a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator for couples and premarital counseling.
Prior to my move to private practice, I worked as a Family Crisis Social Worker, providing home-based family intervention, life skills education, and community resource connection. Working with home-based family systems provided me with specific insight into how mental health issues affect more than just the individual. Other professional experience includes providing outpatient counseling to families impacted by foster care and adoption, residential care to at-risk youth, urban hip-hop church administration, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment for children on the autism spectrum.
The individuals, couples, and families that I served and continue to serve are of varying ages, religions, national origins, races, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and physical and mental capabilities. I am committed to cultural competence and engagement in my work and life.
Academic Interests
- Abuse and Trauma, including sexual assault
- Academic Life Balance
- Anxiety
- Body Image
- Church and Sexuality
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Crisis and Suicide Intervention
- Depression
- EMDR Therapy
- Emotional Intelligence
- Family Systems
- Health and Fitness Habits
- Identity and Self-Acceptance
- Long Distance and Intercultural Relationships
- Perfectionism
- Personal and Relational Boundaries
- Racial Reconciliation
