Dr. Stevie VanAusdale, PhD., Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Education:

Graduated from the University of Florida with Master’s and Specialist Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

Graduated from the University of Florida with PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision.

At a Glance:

I've been a mental health clinician since 2016 when I graduated from the University of Florida counselor education program, but my journey to this work started many years before that. After a traumatic incident, I sought therapy to deal with the aftermath of my life being turned upside down. This therapeutic experience was not a good one. It was one that most people fear most. I left that appointment feeling more alone, angry, and completely invalidated. This experience and a mixture of others propelled me full force into this career. My mission is to ensure that no client ever leaves my office feeling the way I felt that day. I believe it is my job as a clinician to join you as we unravel the complexities of life together.

Why did you become a therapist? 

I think I’ve always been on the path of helping people just never knew how exactly I would help. But I had one experience with a therapist who invalidated my experience after a traumatic event in my life. I left that appointment knowing I never wanted another person to feel the way I did at that moment. I believe that there is great power in someone witnessing and sitting with another who is suffering without pathologizing that pain.

What can a client expect to experience in session with you? 

You can expect a real person to sit across from you who will join with you on the exploration of who you authentically are. Which is a fancy way of saying I will listen, won’t judge, gently point out your bullshit, and remind you that you are powerful. There will also be a lot of swearing too.

If you could be the therapist to one celebrity, who would it be? 

I would love to sit down with Kayne West. I have been endlessly curious about this mindset. I’m not sure if I could be of value to him but I’d love the opportunity to potentially being of value to him.

How do you spend your free time? 

Free time looks very differently for me these days. After years of infertility, I’m now a mom of two littles who command all of my time spent not working. But when I do get some alone time I am generally buying new plants or things to take care of my ever growing plant collection.

What's your favorite quirk about yourself? 

My love for reality television (hear me out), there is nothing better than using very few brain cells to watch people act bananas. You name the trash show and I’ve watched it.

What does social justice mean to you? 

I believe that having a social justice mindset means to embody being an accomplice in the fight for equity. As a white woman I must know when it's my time to use my privilege for change and when to step back to amplify the voices that need to be heard. The fire in me is always ready to tear it down.

How do you believe change happens?

I believe that change begins through the simple act of gaining awareness of why we do the things we do. Once we understand the process behind our “issues” the more clearly we can know our authentic selves which allows for making different choices in our lives. Choices that aren’t often easy but valuable.