Stephanie Ochs
Becoming a Relationship Therapist
I am deeply passionate about helping others heal and grow, especially within the context of relationships. Having supported individuals through trauma recovery, I’ve come to believe that relational healing is one of the most profound paths to emotional well-being. By guiding couples through their struggles, I strive to empower them to experience the lasting benefits of emotional intimacy, mutual understanding, and the transformative healing that comes from our connections with others.
Counseling Philosophy
I believe counseling can be a sacred space for healing and growth to take place. My background in trauma work informs my approach, allowing me to support individuals and couples in navigating past wounds that may shape their present interactions. I strive to create a safe and supportive space where partners can explore their emotions, relational patterns, and inner worlds. Through this process, I help couples develop greater self-awareness, communicate more effectively, and build a stronger foundation for their relationship.
Professional Counseling Background
My counseling background has been deeply rooted in trauma-focused care within outpatient settings, supporting diverse populations navigating PTSD, CPTSD, anxiety, relational issues, and depression. I began my career working with survivors of sexual and childhood trauma before immersing myself in the world of veteran mental health, helping service members heal and navigate the challenges of military life and transition. Over time, I’ve developed a deep fascination with understanding the lasting impacts of trauma across the lifespan and how it shapes our relationships—with ourselves and others.
Counseling Style and Strengths
I offer a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and supported. My approach is inclusive and grounded in deep attunement, meeting each person with an open mind and genuine curiosity. I truly consider it a privilege to hear people’s stories and witness their growth. As a parent, I understand the joys and challenges that come with raising a family, and I bring that perspective into my work with individuals and couples. I strive to be down-to-earth and approachable, using humor when appropriate to create a sense of ease in the therapeutic space. Drawing from attachment theory, IFS, psychodynamic perspectives, mindfulness practices, and the Gottman Method for couples, I help clients explore their experiences with compassion and insight. I work collaboratively to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and foster deeper connection, helping individuals and couples navigate challenges with clarity and confidence.
Professional Therapist Credentials and Training
- Associate Professional Clinical Counselor — Board of Behavioral Sciences, CA (2021)
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Walden University, Minneapolis, MN (2021)
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of San Diego, San Diego, CA (2012)
Gottman Method Level 2 Trained - Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training
- Comprehensive Resource Model Level 1 Basic Training
- Internal Family Systems Informed
Emotionally Focused Individual - Therapy Training
Hear From Our Clients
Hear from those who've experienced positive changes through our services.
“Dr. Dana made me feel so seen. I never felt shame for the trauma I’d caused. It was so healthy and helpful to find ways to navigate our conversations.”
“Thank you so much! It exceeded my expectations. You made me feel comfortable and supported.”
“I learned I need to take a 20 minute break when flooded, ask for clarity in facial expressions, use gentle startup and take ownership even if its small.”
“Gave me many tools and insights, I’m excited to implement them.”
“I couldn’t have had a better experience. Dana is so caring and smart and easily helped us navigate through our issues.”
“I learned that I need to ask for my needs and also take a break when I feel flooded.”
“I had an excellent experience, it helped me get clarity and learn valuable tools.”
“Dana was really effective at explaining the research, helping facilitate the conversation with figuring out how to address our biggest challenges.”
“Really pleased with the experience. Absolutely exceeded my expectations.”
“This helped lower the walls in our relationship.”
“Dana is superb, gracious, and kind. We’re very grateful.”
“I gained the clarity I was looking for!”
“Grateful to our extended therapist and her extended time! And of course, her dog!”
“The intensive process and longer sessions are incredibly helpful to push things further and get real work done.”
“The three-day package was necessary to enable the “emotional stretch” and that’s when we saw the best results.”
“This was a much needed intense session but helped promote healing and focus to decide where we go in life together.”
“This was well worth it and I’d definitely do it again!”
“This helped us sit and have uncomfortable conversations that were long overdue.”
“Exhausting but I loved everything about this!”
“This helped us have epiphanies and transformative thoughts.”
“Thank you so much for taking the time to really understand our issues and providing us with all the tools to use when future issues arise.”
“I feel like we have made huge progress on major issues with these three days.”
“Everything made me feel safe and comfortable here.”
“Therapist is great at listening and helping us with communication.”
“Absolutely, it was better than I expected and gave us great tools.”
“Empathetic and responsive.”
“Very accommodative and understanding.”
“I definitely feel Therapy Getaway helped with our relationship goals because it allowed a deeper dive in a structured fashion, with tools to continue improving our relationship.”
“Great session. They know their stuff and is really good at helping us find the language to effectively communicate.”
“They were incredibly instrumental in relating all the tools that my partner and I needed in areas where we struggle.”
“Therapy Getaway absolutely helped our relationship. They were amazing.”
“This was a very beneficial process. Dana made it easy for us to open up about every difficult issue we had been struggling with. We now have good tools.”
“It seemed at first that 2.5 days was long, but it feels so good to be in therapy that I wish it was 3-5 days!”
“Therapy Getaway immensely helped us talk about our problems in a safe place.”
“Dana is very experienced and sensitive to peoples situations and knows how to make you feel comfortable as if you were in your own home.”
“Learned a lot of coping tools. Dana was wonderful.”
