ABOUT US

Therapeutic Orientation

Our initial meeting is about information gathering. I have to understand you, your family and your goals for seeking therapy as in depth as possible so that I can be the most help. Together, we will set clear, concrete goals for change. A typical session lasts 50 minutes, although sometimes sessions with children could be shorter. In general, we should aim to meet once a week. 

If you are seeking family therapy, I may see members of the family in different constellations. It is not uncommon to spend a little one on one time in the beginning of therapy to establish trust and get to the truth that can sometimes be hard to say in front of one another. 

"Can I drop my kid off and come back in an hour?" In short? No. You are so important to the healing process, we need you available and likely involved. If your youth is over the age of 14, they may consent to their own counseling without you present. 

"What if my family needs help, but I'm the only one willing to come in?" Let's start where we can! Our initial meeting will help to clarify if work can be done without the presence of all family members. 

Help and Healing for Central Oregon Families

What to expect?

Riverside Family Counseling

Stephanie Lucas, MS, LMFT, CADC I 

Stephanie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the state of Oregon. She has been working with children, teens and their families in mental health and addictions settings since 2010. She was born and raised in Oregon, and attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon where she earned a BS in Psychology and a BA in Communication Arts. After graduating from the University of Oregon with her MS in Couple and Family Therapy in 2013, Stephanie moved to Central Oregon with her husband, Grant. Together, they have started a family and celebrated the arrival of their first daughter in early 2016. Stephanie loves to laugh, play games, cook and explore new places. 

As a trained family counselor, I take a systemic approach to therapy. In particular, I am passionate about involving parents/caretakers as key contributors to their child or teen's healing process. I believe that healthy families are key to healthy communities, and takes a solution focused approach to setting and accomplishing therapeutic goals. 

I am fully trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). I am also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor - I, and have advanced training in the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Collaborative Problem Solving. I believe that all behaviors make sense in context, and by working to identify and meet our needs in healthy ways, we can be free of unwanted behaviors. Feel free to call with any questions about my therapeutic approach.