We recently connected with Stephanie Fazio and have shared our conversation below.
Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
As a child, I was always caring for those around me – I still remember my parents telling me about the time when I was about 4 years old and changed my younger brother’s diaper and got him dressed to help out or the time when my brother and I decided to make our parent’s breakfast to also “help them out” one morning (and let me tell you, that was a messy disaster!). I’ve even had a lifelong passion for helping animals. From a young age, I volunteered at local animal shelters, finding fulfillment in providing care and compassion to animals in need. One particular furry friend, Bentley, captured our hearts through learning more about his trauma story, who we later ended up rescuing and helping heal from his traumas.
From a young age, I was somewhat aware of the shadows that lingered in the lives of my loved ones. I grew up with friends and family where mental health issues were not openly discussed or quickly dismissed, but I could see it impacting their everyday interactions. I witnessed the struggles of those closest to me as they battled with generational trauma, substance use, grief, depression, health, OCD, anxiety, and other unseen demons. Despite my young age, I felt a deep-seated desire to help alleviate their pain, to offer solace where there was none. As I navigated through my own adolescence and early adulthood, I found myself being the “go to” person for friends and family needing support and advice, while grappling with my own mental health challenges. There were days when the weight of the world felt too heavy to bear. In those moments, I had turned to books on psychology, seeking understanding and insight into the deepness of the human mind. I was eventually able to find my own therapist and discover a passion for continuing to understand the complexities of the human mind by going to school and majoring in Clinical Psychology. I immersed myself in a myriad of theories and therapeutic approaches, eager to expand my knowledge and skill set in and out of school. Along the way, I found myself surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals—peers and mentors whose support and guidance fueled my passion for mental health counseling.
Years later, after completing graduate school and receiving my counseling license, along with having moved to Texas and shortly after dealing with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was so much fear and uncertainty, casting doubt on the future and challenging us to adapt in unprecedented ways. I found myself at a crossroads in my career while I was working at a local non-profit, The Family Place, and a group private practice—a moment that would ultimately shape the trajectory of my journey. Amidst the chaos of the pandemic, I was able to reconnect with my Christian faith during this time, which helped provide me with a sense of grounding, offering comfort and guidance in the face of uncertainty, along with a sense of community. Simultaneously, the pandemic provided me with the opportunity to reevaluate my physical health. With more time spent at home, I delved deeper into the intricacies of nutrition and exercise, exploring the impact that physical well-being can have on mental health. I learned a lot about myself and discovered the true interconnection between the mind, body, and spirit—a revelation that would profoundly shape my personal lifestyle and approach to counseling in the years to come.
As I embarked on this journey of self-discovery, I found myself drawn to true holistic and natural healing and wellness and sought to understand the ways in which these elements intersect, shape our experiences, and influence our journey towards healing and wholeness. For me, it was a defining moment—a time to seize the opportunity and pursue my passion. I decided to take the plunge into opening my own counseling practice and it was during this time that I came up with the name “Live Your Best Life Counseling Services,”- where I encourage others to discover their most authentic self, to have individuals be who they were meant to be, to find balance and peace and discover their purpose, through exploring the whole picture of their health. The symbol of the phoenix, with its associations of change and renewal, resonated deeply with me. Like the famous phoenix, Fawkes, from one of my favorite movie series, Harry Potter, change brings opportunities for renewal, resurrection, new beginnings, healing, and regeneration. It serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for transformation and growth, no matter what your story is.
Opening my own practice was a leap of faith, a bold step into the unknown and uncertainty for me, but it was also a testament to my commitment to helping others find their way through that darkness and walk with them in their journey. With newfound clarity, purpose, and trust in God, I forged ahead, channeling my passion to continuing to help others. After being in the workforce for some time, I had already endured some challenging work environments that served as harsh lessons at the time, but were also reminders as to what I wanted differently for my future, the future of my family, and serving my community and others.
I was blessed with unique gifts to help heal others, and I feel a profound calling to continue to serve others, helping them to heal and live their best, healthiest life. Over the past year, my own journey and overall lifestyle changes have illuminated the vital interplay between the mind, body, and spirit. Experiencing this holistic transformation has been life-changing for me, and I am passionate about guiding others to feel the same sense of balance and well-being. We all have a purpose and calling in life, and I believe it’s important for everyone to discover what those gifts are. To grow, we must be changed and transformed—but first, we must accept help and guidance.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Stephanie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas and has a passion for helping others achieve ultimate life harmony through online counseling services. With extensive experience in the field, As an EMDR Certified therapist, Stephanie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her practice by primarily utilizing counseling techniques that focus on improving the mind-body connection, helping others understand and heal from attachment issues that originated in early relationships, and helping others get curious and connect more with their self to become their most authentic and whole self. Stephanie helps empower and challenge teens and adults to identify, learn, prevent, navigate, and ultimately heal through deep-rooted challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, foster resilience, and understand underlying dynamics and patterns that have been obstacles. Stephanie also enjoys working with premarital couples as they embark on the journey towards lifelong partnership. She enjoys helping guide couples through crucial discussions to help lay a firm foundation for a strong, loving, and resilient bond. Outside of her counseling practice, Stephanie enjoys traveling, reading, baking, rescuing dogs, volunteering at her church, and of course, being a dog mom to Bentley! 🙂
The journey towards establishing a mental health counseling business was uniquely and partially inspired by the experience of rescuing her shelter dog, Bentley, who immensely struggled with anxiety and health issues due to severe trauma and poor health. Witnessing Bentley’s journey to recovery revealed profound parallels between his experiences and those of individuals facing daily mental health challenges. Observing Bentley’s progress and eventual recovery, ignited a new passion for not only understanding and supporting mental wellness in humans, but also animals. Bentley’s story is truly inspiring – when he was found, he was terrified of the world; he was fearful of people, other animals, and every environment you could imagine–he was even on anxiety medication he was rescued from the shelter; he was also extremely lethargic and overweight. With consistent compassion, support, patience, re-training, and changing his nutrition/exercise routine, he was able to quit his medication, overcome his fears through exposure, be happier and healthier, and learn to trust the world again. Similar to Bentley’s story, we truly believe here at Live Your Best Life Counseling Services that everyone can overcome their fears, obstacles, and “inner demons”. Everybody has the chance to live their best life, just like Bentley! (We also dream and aspire to help and serve animals/shelters throughout Texas to help advocate for health and wellness in the animal community eventually!)
Following our founder’s own health challenges over the years and rediscovering the meaning of holistic wellness, it became a core mission of hers to help others struggling with similar issues. Through truly nurturing her mind, body, and spirit by addressing areas such as nutrition, integrating proper sleep and exercise routines, drinking enough water, finding hobbies she is truly passionate about that “fill her cup”, and engaging more in her religious community, she was able to find a wholesome balance towards a lifestyle that works for her, wanting others to feel similarly.
At Live Your Best Life Counseling Services, one of our core focuses is holistic well-being, recognizing the interconnectedness of the various aspects of health. We emphasize the integration of mental, physical, and spiritual health, acknowledging the direct influence they have on each other. Our approach also acknowledges the significant function mental health plays in our relationship with food, exercise, underlying health concerns, or even spiritual emptiness, disconnect, uncertainty, and doubt; faith can help provide a sense of purpose, resilience, and support during times of emotional distress or uncertainty; it can offer solace and a sense of connection/community with something greater than oneself. We understand that without proper attention to these foundational elements, reaching one’s fullest potential can be challenging. Therefore, our commitment lies in supporting individuals to achieve holistic wellness by addressing these interconnected facets of life.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Let’s work together on your journey towards healing, wellness, and fulfillment!
We are excited to announce that we now offer EMDR intensives! We also partner with a health and wellness coach and have several exciting business ideas we are currently discussing while planning to expand and better serve the state of Texas so that everyone can live their best life!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Our core values below (Grit, Passion, Wholeness) are founded on the three essential skills and values that I discovered to be most vital during my own healing journey. I am committed to embodying these principles and practicing what I preach as a professional as I guide others on their holistic path to healing. At times, I struggled with some of these values, but my faith, support system, and future goals helped drive me through moments of darkness and fear when I wanted to give up the most – which is one of the many reasons I am passionate about helping others get through those moments of darkness and develop resilience and help fostering a growth mindset through unexpected challenges.
GRIT
We have faith in your ability to heal and grow from the difficult challenges and adversities life throws your way. We are committed to supporting you throughout this journey, ensuring that you have our guidance every step of the way. We encourage you to trust in the process and wholeheartedly engage in this investment towards yourself; to persist and adopt a growth mindset. Our symbol of the phoenix represents change, renewal, resurrection, new beginnings, healing, and regeneration; it serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for transformation and growth, no matter what your story is.
PASSION
We cultivate an environment that fosters passion, ambition, and drive towards overall health and wellness for all. We firmly believe everyone has a unique purpose in life, and we are here to help you find that passion and purpose so you can start thriving. Our licensed professionals are dedicated specialists committed to providing exceptional services that leave a lasting impact. We aim to support individuals and hold them accountable in transitioning from mere survival to thriving. Our team helps individuals who demonstrate open-mindedness, a drive and motivation for improving their overall health, and a hunger for continuous learning. We firmly believe in the transformative power of growth and remain dedicated to guiding individuals on their path to personal development. Without passion, what’s the purpose?
WHOLENESS
We place equal importance on physical health and spirituality, recognizing their significance, alongside mental health in our holistic approach to client care. Coming to counseling means taking action on bringing balance to all these areas of what makes you you. In addition to addressing mental health concerns, our approach encompasses attention to physical and spiritual well-being, while also exploring other areas such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, and underlying medical illnesses. True healing comes from nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Healing is not just about overcoming challenges, but about discovering the strength and balance within you – we are here to help and support you in finding that balance.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is a motivated millennial or young adult who is struggling to manage or overcome stress, burnout, work-life balance, or unresolved trauma. They are ready to do the work, are open to receiving and sharing feedback, and willing to try new approaches to overcome challenges. They value transparency in the counseling process, are dedicated to improving their overall quality of life in all aspects—mind, body, and spirit—and are willing to invest in themselves and fully engage in the counseling process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://liveyourbestlifecounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lybl_counseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LYBLCounseling/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lybl_counseling
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Niccolo Fazio
Logos created by: Christopher Rotondo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
