Josh Stanley, LCSW

My Story

Prior to being a therapist, I was a hairstylist for a decade, which was a lot of fun and allowed me to be creative. Prior to that, I was a teacher. I find I am the type of person who will do whatever it takes to complete what I set my mind to, even if it seems ridiculous to others. I learned we only live once, and we have to take charge of our lives and make things happen. So I decided to go to graduate school to become a Social Worker. While I was in graduate school, I knew I wanted to be in a private practice working with sex and the LGBTQIA+ community. A close friend recommended that I speak to the ladies at Stillpoint.

My friend called Beth, who then reached out to set up a meeting/interview. I was so nervous about going into Stillpoint. Would they like me and think I would be a good fit? Would I say the right stuff or come across as though I did not know what I was talking about? Much to my anxieties’ surprise, the ladies were so nice and curious about me. At the end of the meeting, it was one of those, “we will call you” moments. So, I was sure I would have to keep looking for a different practicum for my second year. Mind you, this was before the second semester of my first year had finished; I literally had time, but didn’t feel like it, especially if I wanted a specific type of training. Much to my surprise, the ladies at Stillpoint invited me back and offered me an internship. I was so eager to learn the processes of the practice, I spent a couple of days each week through my summer break at the practice shadowing, learning as much as I could. It was glorious and I was literally in heaven. Finally, the dream I had since I was little is finally coming true! I am becoming a therapist!

Through grad school, I learned so much. Working with clients and learning ways to speak and how to address things was hard work, but a lot of fun. I knew Stillpoint would be a part of my life for some time, but I also was going to be moving two hours away after graduation. So, as graduation came and went, I moved, and left Stillpoint to take a job at a community mental health facility, at Beth’s encouragement, to get the feel for other types of therapy work. Really, I imagine, it was so I can truly appreciate what I had at Stillpoint. It maybe took 2 weeks for me to miss my clients and practice at Stillpoint.

The excitement of a job with insurance and paid time off was great, but then I started seeing how different things were from how I liked doing things with Stillpoint. I could not completely part with the richness of the therapy and experiences Stillpoint offered. Long story short, I left the community health organization and came back to Stillpoint. There was so much I wanted and still want to learn, and that will come from the women at Stillpoint and the opportunities the practice can offer. It was so hard to leave Stillpoint the first time. I felt like I was leaving my family. All it took was one email to the ladies at Stillpoint, and I was welcomed back with joy and excitement. Here I am, growing my practice, learning from some of the best friends/colleagues one could ask for, and working with wonderful clients, who stretch me and make me want to be the best I can be.

I am excited to continue to build my dream practice at Stillpoint. Regardless of background or needs, I believe there is something every client and I can teach each other as we engage, resolve and reinvent.