We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelli Stebler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kelli , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I look back, I know that if I hadn’t been willing to take risks, I wouldn’t be where I am in my career today. Starting a business without any formal business background felt overwhelming at times. There were moments of doubt, a lot of figuring things out as I went, and more than a few deep breaths along the way. What made that time more bearable was that I wasn’t doing it alone. A close friend of mine was opening her own practice at the same time, and we grew through this process together. We shared questions, celebrated small wins, talked through the hard days, and encouraged each other when things felt uncertain. Having that kind of support made all the difference. Owning a business has humbled me in the best way and I’ve come to embrace the fact that entrepreneurship is not something you “arrive” at and instead something you continually grow into.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My journey in the helping profession began at just 20 years old, when I came across a flyer at my local community college to train as a domestic violence hotline counselor. Looking back, it’s surreal to realize how young I was while supporting individuals experiencing different types of traumas. This moment in time fueled my passion to become a therapist. After attaining an associate’s degree from CCAC, I transferred into the University of Pittsburgh, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, followed by a Master of Social Work. Those years challenged me academically and it was my clinical work experience that shaped me. I completed my licensure hours in places that asked me to grow quickly from a group home for adolescent girls, a psychiatric inpatient hospital, to the intake department at the Allegheny County Jail. I completed the final portion of the 3,000 supervised hours in private practice working with both individuals and couples.

Each of these roles strengthened my clinical foundation and ultimately gave me the confidence to open my own private practice. Outside of the traditional therapy models I trained in I have always had a curious, slightly “woo-meets-science” side. Energy psychology captured my heart early on, and I’ve been a Reiki Master Teacher since 2016. That path opened the door to additional modalities I now love integrating like hypnosis and the Rest & Restore protocol for nervous system regulation. I value evidence-based clinical frameworks and the powerful connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Currently, I’m expanding my skillset by completing an end-of-life doula program through the University of Vermont. This training is helping me deepen my work around the meaning of life and easing fears that can surface around death. I’m completing this program to both ease my own fears and for the clients I have the privilege of walking alongside.

One thing I want people to know is that therapy doesn’t have to be intimidating and that is can actually be fun at the same time. I meet each client exactly where they are in their healing journey while honoring that healing takes time. Please allow yourself to unfold on your own timeline.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Network, network, network. If someone had given me that advice at 20, I probably would have run in the opposite direction. The idea of putting myself out there? Absolutely not. Now at 34, I genuinely love connecting with people. A successful business grows through relationships. Whether it’s meeting people face-to-face or connecting online, networking has become less about “selling” and more about building real connections.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I would 100% choose the same profession. I often tell social workers who are on the path to becoming a psychotherapist to keep on going. The long hours and low pay during those years can make it incredibly hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. There was a point during the licensure process when I was so burned out that I seriously considered walking away and enrolled in a real estate class instead. I am so grateful I stayed and can now practice in a way that feels aligned with the kind of therapist I’ve always wanted to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mindfultherapy4all.org
• Instagram: @mindful_therapy_hypnosis

Image Credits
Illumination Studios