Dr. Stephanie-Jane Okpara

Hello! My name is Stephanie-Jane Okpara (Oh-paw-rah, k is silent) and I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the Hampton Roads area. I obtained my B. A. in Psychology from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and my Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University.

Areas of specialty: women’s mental health, multicultural issues, self-care, self-compassion, emotion regulation, healthy communication, and management of stress, anxiety, & depression.

My therapeutic approach is client-centered and collaborative. I believe that my client is the expert of their own experience. As your therapist, I join your healing journey by creating a safe space for you to explore who you are and who you want to be.

In our first sessions, we identify unhelpful coping strategies and thought patterns. We discuss how familial and societal messages have influenced these strategies and patterns and challenge these messages. Through the process, my clients begin to feel empowered to set firm boundaries and realize that self-care is not selfish. My clients become more aware of their emotions and needs and communicate them in helpful ways. Lastly, my clients become less self-critical and more self-compassionate.