Regina Marie Stiffler
Licensed Professional Counselor
The West Wing once told a story about a man who fell down into a hole. He asked a doctor and a priest for help. But they threw down prescriptions and prayers respectively and went along their way. When a friend passed by, that friend jumped down into the whole with the man and said, “I’ve been here before. I know the way out.”
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 whole 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
When I was young, I couldn’t decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. For a while, I wanted to be a firefighter. Then a lifeguard. After that, it was a doctor. When I headed to college, I settled on “human services,” whatever that meant. The common thread was that 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 gave me free time. I was part of the fire department family that I grew up knowing.
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, 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 or showed up late. Desperation was setting in, but I couldn’t figure out what I needed to do to feel better. 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.
Training and Experience
Licenses and Certifications
- Texas Licensed Professional Counselor #79522
- Maryland Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor #LC14064
- Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional #562090
Education
- 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 Group
- 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
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 help my mother. I have 3 cats, Stormy, 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. My current gaming interests lie in World of Warcraft Classic Hardcore, Animal Crossing, Zelda, Sims 4, and miscellaneous phone games. When I’m not playing video games or working, I can usually be found watching Twitch streams, watching trains on virtual rail cams, going to the gym, 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 courses for work or if they’re just for my own information. I never want to stop learning.
Choosing Regina Marie Stiffler as Your Therapist
Different people 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 a good therapist for you if you prefer a therapist who:
- Knows what it’s like to be in counseling/has similar struggles.
- 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 therapy; one size doesn’t fit all
- Is open to 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 for you during the consultation. You can only really get that experience by trying it. There’s no pressure to continue sessions if you find that I’m not a good fit for you.