My Bio
I’m a Master’s in Social Work student at The Ohio State University, and I hold a BA in Psychology with a certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies from Duke University. Informed by both my training and personal background, I focus on affirming care for people of diverse genders, sexualities, sexual practices, relationship styles, and living arrangements, as well as adult third culture kids and people with immigration, refugee, or expat backgrounds. I have experience providing trauma-informed support for people feeling overwhelmed by life changes or by their mental health symptoms, and for those who are seeking to integrate psychedelic or other intense experiences.
Aleks Stepanenko, SWT
Student Intern
My Story
I come from an anti-oppressive, neurodiversity-affirming, harm reduction perspective. That is, I recognize the systems and life experiences that can make it so hard to exist in this world, and I truly believe that you’ve done your best to make it this far with the tools you’ve had. Therapy can help you build some new tools — skills and perspectives that clear the way for more peace and fulfillment in your heart.
My approach is collaborative: you bring your thoughts and feelings, and I’ll welcome them with compassion and curiosity. I incorporate evidence-based interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness — but the most evidence-based part of therapy is the connection you have with your therapist!
So if you’re getting the feeling that we would get along, I encourage you to schedule a consultation to see if we’re a good fit and we can figure it out from there.
Currently, I provide telehealth sessions for individual adults and older teenagers in Ohio, with services available in English or Russian.
Modalities
Aleks utilizes the following evidence-based modalities:
-Motivational Interviewing (MI)
-Mindfulness
-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
-Solution-Focused Therapy
Supervised by Victoriya Reich, LISW-S (License I.1201142) and Amy Smitke, LISW-S, LICDC (License I.1201425).