Why I Do This Work

From the very beginning of my career, I’ve been drawn to the moments where pain and hope meet—the spaces where someone begins to believe that healing is possible. I fell in love with trauma work because I’ve seen, time and again, the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Helping someone reclaim their story, find their strength, and experience real relief is an honor I never take lightly.

My path into this work has been shaped by lessons far beyond a therapy room. Through my work abroad, I’ve had the privilege of learning from communities around the world—refugee camps in Ethiopia, an orphanage in Cambodia, and post-disaster zones in Puerto Rico, California, and Madagascar. In every setting, I saw the same truth: healing is possible, and it begins with connection. Those experiences taught me to approach every person and every story with cultural humility, deep respect, and hope.

I have had some incredible opportunities to serve in leadership capacities and clinical roles in community mental health and residential treatment. I loved the work and the incredible teams I led, but over time I felt the weight of organizational limits—the policies and processes that sometimes made it harder to meet people exactly where they were. I realized that the impact I wanted to make required stepping outside the structure of large systems and creating a space where healing could happen without those barriers.

That decision led me here: to a practice built on connection, compassion, and possibility. A space where I can walk alongside people in their most vulnerable moments and help them move toward lives filled with meaning, resilience, and hope.

Outside of my work, I find joy in life’s simple and adventurous moments alike. I love to read and travel, lose myself in a good video game, or dive into the next personal or professional project that’s captured my curiosity. These moments recharge me and remind me of the importance of balance, creativity, and joy—the same things I hope to help my clients rediscover in their own lives.

Jasmin Stephens, LMSW, CCTP

Degrees & Licenses

  • B.A. in Communications, Oakwood University — 2016

  • M.S.W., Master of Social Work, Andrews University — 2019

  • Licensed Master Social Worker (Clinical), State of Michigan — Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), 2021

Additional Credentials

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

  • Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Development Plan (CAADC-DP)

Experiences

  • Nearly a decade of experience in mental health and trauma‑focused care, helping individuals navigate complex emotional and life challenges.

  • Provided therapy for trauma, substance use, anxiety, depression, and grief & loss, guiding clients to process difficult experiences, build resilience, and create meaningful change.

  • Led residential and outpatient programs for substance use and eating disorders, managing multidisciplinary teams and ensuring high-quality, client-centered care.

  • Developed and expanded access to behavioral health services across southwest Michigan, including integrated care initiatives and urgent behavioral health programs for underserved communities.

  • Delivered trauma education and support internationally, with experience in refugee camps (Ethiopia), orphanages (Cambodia), and post‑disaster recovery zones (Puerto Rico, California, Madagascar, and more).

  • Deeply experienced in culturally responsive and community‑based care, informed by global travel and hands‑on cross‑cultural work.

Let’s Connect!

Taking the first step can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone. I offer a free 15‑minute consultation where we can talk about what you’re looking for and explore how I can best support you.