Sterling Phernetton

I’m Sterling, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can exhale, not another obligation on your to-do list.

I work with adults and adolescents navigating anxiety, depression, trauma , health challenges or difficult life transitions. I have a special interest in working with individuals involved in the justice system(or a someone in your life impacted by it) or those living with a serious mental illness. My professional experience has shaped my belief that everyone deserves to be met with compassion, dignity, and understanding of their unique circumstances.

My practice is built on a simple promise: to leave the porch light on for you. This space is entirely yours to pause, drop your armor, and catch your breath. Whether you’re working through long-standing patterns, relationship challenges, or the weight of a difficult season. Together we will clarify your goals and take meaningful steps towards change at a pace that feels right for you.

Outside of therapy I enjoy creative pursuits like pottery, getting lost in a good book, running, and spending time with my pets and people I love. I appreciate the little things that help us slow down and reconnect with ourselves, and I believe there’s value in making room for those moments in everyday life, too, like little glimmers of joy.

You may feel stuck in patterns that once helped you cope but no longer serve you. My clinical background across correctional mental health, intensive outpatient care and hospital behavioral health has shaped my deep belief that you are far more than your struggles. Together, we will gently explore patterns, build practical skills, and find a pathway forward that honors your unique values. I draw from Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to explore connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviors; Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you make room for difficult emotions while moving toward what matters to you; and DBT-informed skills to support mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. With my background in family ministry, I also warmly welcome the exploration of relationships, deep-held values, and spirituality whenever it is meaningful to you. I believe therapy should be both compassionate and practical, offering space for understanding, along side tools you can use in everyday life. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, connected to your values and empowered to make meaningful changes.

Starting therapy can feel unfamiliar, especially when you’re not sure where to begin. You don’t need to have the perfect words or know exactly what you need yet. In our first session, we will begin by getting to know each other and discuss what brings you to therapy. Next, I’ll ask questions to understand your experiences, strengths, and current challenges, but know you will always have room to share at your own pace. Then, we will also talk about what you’d like to get out of therapy and begin identifying goals together, and finally close by discussing what support might look like moving forward. You’ll have space to ask me questions and let me know what feels comfortable. We don’t have to figure everything out in one session. My hope is that you leave feeling heard, supported, and a little more hopeful about what’s possible. Whenever you are ready, the light is on, space is held, and your place at the table is kept.