Sheila Stoner
I am a Tennessee licensed therapist with more than 12 years of professional experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges, transitions, and unexpected changes. My experience includes grief and loss, parenting concerns, anger and emotional regulation, relationship and family challenges, stress, and adjusting to change. I believe therapy should provide a safe, supportive space where you can openly share your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning. Together, we can slow things down, explore what you are experiencing, recognize your strengths, identify patterns that may no longer serve you, and develop practical strategies for moving forward.
I have experience in assessing clients with coping with grief and loss, parenting issues, anger management, & coping with life changes.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and individualized to your needs and goals. Reaching out for support can feel uncertain, especially when you are accustomed to handling things on your own. My role is to meet you where you are and support meaningful growth and change.
First session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another and for you to become comfortable with the therapy process. We will start with brief introductions and discuss what brought you to therapy, at a pace that feels comfortable for you. There is no expectation that you share everything at once or know exactly where to begin. As we talk, we will explore the concerns that feel most important to you, what you hope will be different, and any goals you may have for therapy. We will also begin identifying your strengths, needs, and areas where additional support may be helpful. Together, we will use this information to develop an individualized plan that can guide future sessions. My goal is for you to leave your first session feeling heard, supported, and with a clearer understanding of how we can work together toward the changes that matter to you.
Strengths
Having worked with a diverse range of clients for more than 12 years, I have learned that each person brings a unique story, perspective, and set of needs to therapy. One of my greatest strengths is creating a genuine, warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel comfortable being yourself, expressing what you are experiencing, and knowing that you are truly heard. My approach is collaborative and flexible, keeping the focus on what is most important to you while also considering your overall goals for therapy. I believe there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution, so we will work together to identify coping skills, communication strategies, and new perspectives that feel realistic and meaningful for your life. I bring compassion, curiosity, encouragement, and understanding to our sessions while helping you recognize your strengths, explore patterns, and develop practical tools that support greater confidence, emotional well-being, personal growth, and meaningful change.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who wants something in their life to feel different, even if they are not yet sure how to make that happen. I enjoy working with neurotypical, neurodivergent, and neurodiverse individuals from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling stuck, overwhelmed, uncertain, or experiencing mixed emotions while wanting to better understand themselves and develop the tools needed to move forward. I welcome clients experiencing anxiety, depression, anger, grief and loss, trauma/PTSD, stress, low self-esteem, relationship or family concerns, attachment difficulties, substance use and recovery, eating concerns, ADHD, behavioral challenges, identity concerns, and significant life changes or transitions. I also provide an affirming space for LGBTQIA+ clients. You do not need to have everything figured out or know exactly what you need from therapy. We can begin where you are, identify what matters most to you, and work collaboratively toward meaningful growth.
Origin story
My journey to becoming a therapist began through my experiences with family, personal growth, and healing. I was first inspired by a wonderful therapist who worked with my children as our family navigated complex emotional, developmental, and mental health challenges. After witnessing the meaningful impact therapy could have, I eventually decided it was time to better understand myself as well. Through my own therapeutic journey, I began finding answers to interpersonal struggles and patterns that had followed me from childhood into adulthood. I came to understand how family dynamics, unhealthy environments, grief, unexpected life changes, and learned beliefs can influence how we see ourselves and relate to the world. For years, I believed my struggles meant I was not good enough, capable enough, or somehow lacking. With time, I learned that many of our emotional responses and coping strategies develop from what we experience and are taught. They may help us survive difficult circumstances but not necessarily help us thrive. As I reflected on the many roles I held throughout my life, I recognized a consistent pattern: people often trusted me with their concerns, and I naturally found myself listening, encouraging, and helping them consider different perspectives. Their experiences frequently resonated with my own, deepening my empathy and desire to help others feel less alone. Becoming a therapist came after years of growth, trial and error, successes, setbacks, and learning to challenge long-held beliefs with facts, reframe negative perceptions, and develop healthier ways of coping. These experiences shape how I approach therapy today—with warmth, compassion, curiosity, and without judgment. I want clients to know that change is possible, hope can exist even during difficult seasons, and our struggles do not define our worth. You can grow, make meaningful changes in your life, and recognize that you are already enough.
Ongoing work together
Future sessions are shaped by what you feel is most important to work on while keeping your overall therapy goals in mind. Because needs, circumstances, and priorities can change, each session may look a little different. We may focus on current challenges, explore past experiences, develop coping strategies, recognize patterns, celebrate progress, or simply create space to process what you are experiencing. Regardless of the focus, sessions remain centered on providing a supportive, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment that encourages understanding, personal growth, and meaningful change. Progress can look different for everyone and is not always a straight path. Together, we will regularly reflect on your goals and the changes you are noticing in your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and daily life. You may recognize progress when you begin understanding yourself and your patterns more clearly, responding to difficult situations differently, setting healthier boundaries, communicating your needs more effectively, or using coping skills that feel more helpful. Progress may also mean recovering more quickly from setbacks, becoming less critical of yourself, or feeling more confident in your ability to manage challenges. Even small changes can be meaningful. Therapy provides a space to recognize those changes, explore what is working, and adjust our approach when needed so that your goals continue to reflect what matters most to you.
Treatment methods
Integrative
I strive to meet you where you are by creating a relaxed, genuine, warm, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel comfortable exploring what matters most to you. I use an integrative and holistic approach, recognizing that your experiences, needs, strengths, and goals are unique to you. I believe therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and your needs may change as you grow and circumstances evolve. I use an integrative approach by thoughtfully drawing from different therapeutic methods and tailoring strategies to what you are experiencing, your goals, and what works best for you. During our sessions, we may explore patterns and past experiences, challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, process difficult emotions, strengthen communication and coping skills, or develop practical strategies for managing current concerns. We may also build on your existing strengths and recognize what is already working well in your life. Throughout therapy, we will regularly consider your progress and adjust our approach when needed. My goal is to provide a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported while developing greater understanding, confidence, and skills that can help you create meaningful and lasting changes in your life.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- TennesseeLicense 4558