Courtney Stauffer
Hi, I'm Courtney! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who is passionate about helping individuals better understand themselves, navigate life's transitions, and build healthier relationships with themselves and others. I especially enjoy working with adults who are unpacking complicated family dynamics, processing childhood experiences, or recognizing patterns from their upbringing that continue to impact their lives today. I also love supporting people navigating major life transitions, whether that's adjusting to parenthood, starting a new career, experiencing changes in relationships, or simply figuring out who they are in a new season of life.
Therapy doesn't have to feel intimidating! I bring warmth, compassion, curiosity, and a healthy dose of humor into my sessions.
My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that understanding where our patterns come from can help us create meaningful change. I integrate relational therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients develop greater self-awareness, strengthen boundaries, manage anxiety, and feel more confident navigating life's challenges. Whether you're hoping to break old patterns, process difficult experiences, or find your footing during a period of change, my goal is to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered to grow.
First session
Our first session is all about getting to know you! I typically begin with a comprehensive assessment, which is really just a way for us to explore the different areas of your life that have shaped who you are and what brings you to therapy. We'll talk about things like your family, relationships, work, education, physical and emotional health, daily routines, stressors, coping strategies, and any previous experiences with therapy. We'll also explore what you're hoping to gain from our work together and what you need from me as your therapist. While that might sound like a lot, I approach this process conversationally rather than as a checklist of questions. There's no pressure to share everything at once, and you're always welcome to ask questions along the way. My goal is for you to leave our first session feeling heard, supported, and a little more comfortable with the therapy process. Together, we'll begin building a foundation for our work moving forward.
Strengths
I bring warmth, compassion, curiosity, and a healthy dose of humor into my sessions. I believe therapy can be a space for meaningful, sometimes difficult conversations while still leaving room for laughter, connection, and authenticity. My approach is highly collaborative because I believe you are the expert on your own life. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I work alongside you to develop goals, explore what feels most helpful, and create a therapeutic experience that fits your unique needs and experiences. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I practice from a strong systemic foundation, meaning I look beyond individual symptoms to understand the bigger picture of your life. Together, we'll explore how your relationships, family dynamics, upbringing, environment, and life experiences have shaped who you are today. I believe that understanding these connections can help us identify patterns, build self-compassion, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Ideal clients
I especially enjoy working with adults in their 20s and 30s who are looking to better understand themselves, their relationships, and the experiences that have shaped them. Many of my ideal clients are beginning to recognize how their upbringing and family dynamics continue to influence their lives today. Sometimes this means processing experiences of childhood trauma, difficult family relationships, or emotional neglect. Other times, it means exploring generational patterns, family expectations, and the beliefs we've carried with us into adulthood. I'm also passionate about helping individuals navigate relationship concerns, whether they're struggling with communication, identifying recurring patterns, setting boundaries, or building deeper emotional and physical intimacy. I enjoy helping clients explore how they show up in their relationships, what influences their interactions with others, and how they can create healthier, more fulfilling connections. Ultimately, I love working with people who are curious about themselves and ready to explore not just what's happening in their lives, but why certain patterns exist and how they can begin to change them.
Origin story
I've wanted to be a therapist for as long as I can remember, and becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist has truly been a lifelong dream of mine! I've always been fascinated by the ways our relationships, experiences, and upbringing shape who we are and how we navigate the world. During college, I developed a particular interest in sex therapy and the ways sexuality, identity, intimacy, and relationships intersect with our emotional well-being. That passion has continued to grow throughout my education and clinical career. What I love most about being a therapist is having the opportunity to connect with people, hear their stories, and help them better understand themselves. Whether we're unpacking family dynamics, navigating life transitions, exploring identity and sexuality, or working through difficult emotions, I feel incredibly fortunate that I get to do work I'm genuinely passionate about every day.
Ongoing work together
Our ongoing work together will be collaborative, flexible, and tailored to your unique needs and goals. I believe therapy should be an ongoing conversation, so we'll regularly check in about how the process is feeling for you, what's working, and whether our approach continues to feel like a good fit. Depending on your goals, I may suggest exercises, reflection prompts, or other activities to practice between sessions. We'll revisit these experiences together, explore what you noticed, and identify ways to apply what we're learning to your everyday life. We'll also regularly review your treatment goals and celebrate progress along the way! Sometimes progress looks like noticeable changes in how you communicate, set boundaries, or navigate difficult emotions. Other times, it's a growing understanding of yourself, your relationships, and the patterns that have shaped you. My goal is to help you recognize those changes and feel empowered to carry what you're learning in therapy into your life outside of our sessions.
Treatment methods
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I use EFT to explore emotions, attachment needs, and relationship patterns.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to identify and shift unhelpful thought and behavior patterns.
Narrative
I use narrative therapy to explore and reframe the stories shaping your life.
Location
Virtual sessions