One of the many things that attracts me to working with Full Circle Wellness & Counseling is being of service in community with others. For me this has always been most meaningful when I’ve been in service to humans, nature, and the multiplicity of relationships that arise from this rich matrix of life. I’ve had the unique fortune of working with people healing in nature in many ways. I worked with volunteer groups in city park systems, at risk youth in wildlife refuges, adjudicated youth in the backcountry, wilderness therapy programs with teens on the autism spectrum and young adults struggling with addictions, and adults of all ages with psychiatric diagnoses in a farm-centered therapeutic community. I find myself excited to be part of a community oriented practice that has service to community and nature as a part of its ethics.
After working in the mental health field for many years in direct care I chose to attend graduate school to become a psychotherapist. In 2015 I earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a post-graduate certificate in Expressive Arts therapy at Appalachian State University. I also have several years of training in Gestalt therapy, and am continuing to train in EMDR. These modalities inform my therapy work by highlighting present moment awareness, creative partnership and relationship in the therapy process with my clients, a spirit of curious inquiry and compassion, and a trauma-informed background. I do pull from many other modalities such as CBT, DBT, ACT, family systems, and Gottmann method when working with individuals and couples. My practice of therapy is also informed by the emergent field of Ecopsychology, and I do have a working background in several ecotherapeutic forms. All that being said, it’s ultimately my goal to be as present and authentic as I can be in my work, as I know just how challenging and tough therapy can be – and how growthful and rewarding!
In addition to my current work with Full Circle Counseling & Wellness I also practice in Asheville through my private practice Forest Light Counseling. In addition to my work with individuals and their loved ones, I enjoy working with people in groups. I currently facilitate group therapy at a few therapeutic programs in Asheville. Additionally I am an adjunct professor in Counseling at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Asheville campus. In the past as a clinician I’ve worked at Appalachian State University, CooperRiis Healing Community, and Four Circles Recovery Center.
In my free time I enjoy hiking, foraging, mycology, traveling to the coast to go on whale watches, engaging with my own therapeutic processes, and loving my friends and family. I am grateful to be a part of Full Circle Wellness & Counseling, and grateful to make my home in these mountains with all of you.
After working in the mental health field for many years in direct care I chose to attend graduate school to become a psychotherapist. In 2015 I earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a post-graduate certificate in Expressive Arts therapy at Appalachian State University. I also have several years of training in Gestalt therapy, and am continuing to train in EMDR. These modalities inform my therapy work by highlighting present moment awareness, creative partnership and relationship in the therapy process with my clients, a spirit of curious inquiry and compassion, and a trauma-informed background. I do pull from many other modalities such as CBT, DBT, ACT, family systems, and Gottmann method when working with individuals and couples. My practice of therapy is also informed by the emergent field of Ecopsychology, and I do have a working background in several ecotherapeutic forms. All that being said, it’s ultimately my goal to be as present and authentic as I can be in my work, as I know just how challenging and tough therapy can be – and how growthful and rewarding!
In addition to my current work with Full Circle Counseling & Wellness I also practice in Asheville through my private practice Forest Light Counseling. In addition to my work with individuals and their loved ones, I enjoy working with people in groups. I currently facilitate group therapy at a few therapeutic programs in Asheville. Additionally I am an adjunct professor in Counseling at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Asheville campus. In the past as a clinician I’ve worked at Appalachian State University, CooperRiis Healing Community, and Four Circles Recovery Center.
In my free time I enjoy hiking, foraging, mycology, traveling to the coast to go on whale watches, engaging with my own therapeutic processes, and loving my friends and family. I am grateful to be a part of Full Circle Wellness & Counseling, and grateful to make my home in these mountains with all of you.
For more info, please visit Stas's Psychology Today page