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Stephanie Lee, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor who works with college and emerging adults, adults, and couples across Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas through telehealth. She specializes in supporting clients navigating narcissistic abuse recovery, PTSD, substance use and addiction, and first responder mental health. Her clients often come to therapy seeking relief from painful relationship patterns, trauma symptoms, and the stress of high-demand environments.
Her therapy approach is compassionate, direct, and grounded in creating a space where clients feel heard, understood, and accepted. She describes therapy as a meaningful conversation and emphasizes honesty, support, humor, and authenticity as part of the healing process. Stephanie believes growth happens through trust, connection, and the freedom to explore difficult experiences without judgment.
Stephanie brings more than a decade of specialized experience as a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Therapist, with particular expertise in narcissistic personality disorder and antagonistic relationships. She is also a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University in Chicago and her bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Northeastern University. Her background as a former paramedic adds perspective and empathy in her work with first responders and others in high-stress roles.
Years of Experience: 5 years
Couples counseling - Addressing relationship challenges and life transitions; strengthening communication and feelings of security, desire, connection, and love
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Healing painful experiences and memories from the past
Substance abuse - Reducing and preventing the negative impact of drug and alcohol use and addictions on physical, emotional, and relational health
Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse
Narcissistic Personality Traits and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) - Narcissism is examined as a clinical personality construct, ranging from subclinical narcissistic traits to the diagnosable condition Narcissistic Personality Disorder, defined in the DSM diagnostic framework. Providers evaluate core features including grandiosity, need for admiration, low empathy, fragile self‑esteem, and interpersonal dysfunction. Narcissism itself is not abuse, but may contribute to maladaptive relational patterns.
Narcissistic abuse - Narcissistic abuse refers to a specific pattern of emotional and psychological abuse perpetrated by individuals with pronounced narcissistic traits or Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It is characterized by cycles such as idealization, devaluation, and discard, and often includes gaslighting, blame‑shifting, emotional manipulation, control, and exploitation.
Small steps make a big difference. Start by connecting with Stephanie Lee today.