Steph Iles

     I have lived in Quebec, Texas, California and now here in Rockwood, Tennessee.  I have been married 29 years and I still say it is the best decision I ever made.  I have two adult sons whom I homeschooled.  They are now thriving in their own lives and I am very proud of them.  I have a bunch of grandkids whom I love dearly.  

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     I attended Western Seminary in San Jose, CA where I studied Marriage and Family Therapy.  I loved the program as it integrated my faith in God and gave me an opportunity to study hermeneutics and theology. I decided to become a therapist, because I spent 12 years doing youth ministry at my church and fell in love with helping teens and their families.  When I found myself as an empty nester, I decided to go back to school so I could develop better tools to be a better helper.  I have been working since 2017 as a therapist.  I have worked in a rehab for teens, in a continuation High School with troubled teens, and in a private practice with all kinds of issues and all ages.

     Now I am excited to be doing private practice in rural Tennessee.  I am mostly client centered, which means I let the client direct how my sessions will go.  I choose from different modalities to match my client.  I am trained in EMDR, but don't use it exclusively.  I like Narrative Therapy, Existential Therapy, and when I'm dealing with a thinker, I like Cognitive Behavior Therapy.  I will sometimes incorporate art into my sessions and now I have an opportunity, at my new office, to incorporate equine therapy (at an additional cost and only if it makes sense for that client).

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     I have recently written a book, Living and Thriving In the Parent-Teen Relationship, with a co-author, Angele Suarez LCSW.  It is available on Amazon and other eBook and audiobook platforms. You can link to this page to see updates on the book and availability information. I also offer a free copy to clients who ask.

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