About Stef

I am born and raised in the Bay Area.

I live in Oakland, CA with my pit bull, Bubs.

Growing up, I was a competitive horseback rider. This was my world. 7 days a week, holidays and weekends, I was at the barn or a 3-day competition. I attribute this part of my life to the reason why as an adult, I have so much dedication to anything and all things.

I’ve always been a creator at heart. I found makeup early on and was drawn to self-expression through color, identity, and transformation. That curiosity eventually expanded into a deeper interest in people—the way we think, cope, and make meaning of our lives.

Podcasting felt like a natural extension of that. I wanted to create a space that felt low-barrier, inclusive, and real—something you don’t have to earn access to. No walls, no pressure—just a place to show up as you are.

My Therapist Said podcast is a space where I meet people exactly where they’re at through real, unfiltered conversations about mental health.

See you there!

Education & Experience

I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Counseling, with a specialization in Marriage and Family therapy. I am dually-licensed in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and a CCAPP Clinical Supervisor (LMFT, LPCC, CCAPP-S).

I have held multiple leadership roles in non-profit inpatient treatment agencies. I have worked within the prison system and with incarceration-impacted individuals for the majority of my career. I am passionate about providing accessible, quality care, to individuals impacted by systemic challenges our world provides.