Steven Van Schaick (LCSW)

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trauma specialist with over 10 years of experience working with individuals experiencing varying levels of unwanted mental health obstacles. An office and couch was not my style to impact others, so I built my career coming to them, working with clients inside residential treatment, in-patient psychiatric, and in-home counseling with high risk families. By having worked for the high risk community, I can say not only have I heard “almost” all, but I’ve been there and carried some of the battle scars too. I’ve always preferred environments where I’ve had to give my best work but work fast with client’s who did not have the time or patience for a more drawn out treatment. It’s been my desire to specialize with those clients who were dealt the most challenging of hands. I guess you can say those are my people. I’m accustomed to working in areas of depressive episodes, panic and anxiety, broken family relationships, life stressors, parenting issues, abnormal psychiatric, spiritual issues, and traumatic experiences. While I may utilize multiple evidence based treatment strategies, inner healing doesn’t come in a box, and is different for everyone. I believe the best therapy is done through having as much first hand experience in the trenches with what it is that we are working on. Some wisdom can only be gained by experiencing. Is this counseling or therapy? Counseling may look like just casual chatting back and forth via messaging as some seem to prefer to have a second party help them look at their life. For others focusing on more significant distresses, therapy could consist of the traditional order: a more comprehensive session to identify the sometimes hidden roots of the problem (what sustains it) and then at your readiness some live sessions to begin the work to promote your mind and body Healing, Our Head is still attached to our body, so for some it may be necessary to take re-ownership of both components. But you may be thinking: Therapy doesn’t really work, I’m not a mushy feelings type of person… You’re in good company; We’re just re-learning balance. You used to have it! Finding again that place of optimal functioning. If your mind rattled your world enough to get you to even consider therapy, it’s more likely you have a talent for a very strong mind, but you may just need to learn to control your power. Our professional relationship and your trust in my care for people and confidence to help them overcome, I hold as my greatest skills.