About Regina Marie Stiffler
Empowering Women in Helping Professions Regain Comfort and Peace.
This is how I view therapy. I could throw down a ladder so you can get yourself out. But what if you can’t find the ladder or don’t know how to use it? No. I’ll jump in that hole with you. With my training and personal experience and your expertise in yourself, you can get out of that hole. You can live a life that’s comfortable, peaceful, and fulfilling.
Regina Marie Stiffler's Story
How did I get here?
When I was young, I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do when I grew up. For a while, I wanted to be a firefighter. Then a lifeguard. After that, it was a doctor. In high school, I settled on “human services,” whatever that meant. The common thread was I really just wanted to help people.
I left college to be a paramedic. After working for a few different private ambulance companies, I finished my paramedic training. Then I got my “dream job.” I started working for the Baltimore County Fire Department. It was great. I got to help people and I had a schedule that let me have free time and travel.
But it didn’t last. I didn’t know how to ask for help when I started struggling. And eventually PTSD and compassion fatigue drove me out of the job I loved. I let my license lapse and I was floundering. The idea of doing anything to help anyone again felt like it was too much. I, Regina Marie Stiffler, had failed.
The peace I once had was gone. I went to therapists who told me they didn’t think my experience was “traumatic enough.” There were therapists who hardly said anything at all. Desperation was setting in, but I couldn’t figure out what I needed to do to get there. I was down in that hole, and it felt so alone.
Eventually, my desperation led me back to school. I hoped to find a way to fix myself by finishing my psychology degree. And little by little I did. I started feeling connected to people around me again. Best of all, I could sleep without nightmares and drive around town without flashbacks and intrusive memories of the people I helped. I finally found my purpose again.
Regina Marie Stiffler's Training and Experience
The Boring Professional Details
An about me page wouldn’t be complete without the typical resume like section. Therefore, here are the most important details from my professional life.
License and Certifications
- Texas Licensed Professional Counselor #79522
- Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional #562090
- Maryland Licenced Clinical Professional Counselor #LC14064
Education
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Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Frostburg State University -
Master of Science - Professional Counseling
Grand Canyon University
Training
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Trauma Conscious Yoga Method
- Compassion Fatigue
- Trauma Professional
Professional Experience
- Addiction Counseling - Individual and Groups
- Crisis Intervention - Mobile Crisis and Crisis Hotline
- Inpatient Psychiatric - Intake and Groups
- Trauma Counseling - Agency and Private Practice Based
- General Individual Counseling
Relevant Non-Therapy Experience
- High School Special Education Assistant
- Hospital Care Tech
- Fire Department Paramedic
Personal Life
The Fun Stuff
While some therapists shy away from sharing their personal lives, I believe it’s an important part of building trust in therapy. Therefore, I tend to use more self-disclosure than many other therapists. With that in mind, here are a few fun things you’ll enjoy knowing about me.
I live in Maryland where I’m also helping my aging parents. I have 2 cats, Midnight and Serenity. They will likely make themselves known as we work together.
You will learn that I am the nerdy type. I love things like Star Wars, Star Trek, and fantasy type settings. Also, gaming is one of my favorite escapes: current games being Zelda, Sims 4, and Animal Crossing. When I’m not playing video games or working, I can be found watching trains on virtual railcams, drinking tea, or crocheting.
And finally, I enjoy learning new things. I am usually in the middle of 2 or 3 online courses at a time. It doesn’t matter if they’re continuing education for work or if they’re just for my own information. My current projects include Yoga Teacher Training and Klingon language.
Choosing Regina Marie Stiffler As Your Therapist
Why I Might Be the Best Therapist For You
Different people obviously have different tastes. And in therapy, the relationship between you and your therapist is more important than any other factor. So it’s important to find a therapist that you mesh well with. I might be the best therapist for you if you prefer a therapist who:
- Knows what it's like to be in counseling
- Is willing to talk about herself when it's appropriate (but doesn't do it all the time)
- Calls you out on your bullshit (gently of course)
- Gives you choices when it comes to treatment; one size doesn't fit all
- Asks for feedback
- Doesn't give a fuck if you swear in your sessions
I look at the first few months or so of therapy as a trial period. While a free consultation is great for getting a taste of my personality, it is not therapy. Therefore, you can’t really get a feel for how therapy with me works during the consultation. You can really only get that experience by trying it. There’s no pressure to continue sessions if you find that I’m not the best for you.
