Regina Marie Stiffler
Licensed Professional Counselor
There’s a story from The West Wing about a man who falls into a hole. A doctor walks by and offers a prescription. A priest offers a prayer. But neither stays. Then a friend passes by—and jumps into the hole. When the man asks why, the friend says, “I’ve been here before. I know the way out.”
This is how I view therapy: I could throw down a ladder and tell you to climb out—but what if you can’t find the ladder, or don’t know how to use it? That’s not enough. I’ll jump down into the hole with you.
Real healing happens through connection, not instruction. When we’re in that hole together, we move at your pace. Sometimes we map the walls, sometimes we rest, and sometimes we try a few different paths before finding what works. My role isn’t to fix you—it’s to walk beside you with curiosity, care, and the tools to help you find your footing. You bring your story, your strength, and your insight. I bring my training and lived experience. Together, we figure it out.
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 become a paramedic, drawn to the urgency and meaning of helping people in their hardest moments. After working for a few private ambulance companies, I completed my paramedic training and landed what I thought was my dream job: working for the Baltimore County Fire Department. It was everything I hoped for—I got to help people, had a schedule that allowed for balance, and became part of the fire department family I’d grown up around.
But it didn’t last. I didn’t know how to ask for help when I started struggling, and over time, PTSD and compassion fatigue pushed me out of the job I loved. I, Regina Marie Stiffler, believed I had failed. Walking away felt like weakness. But in time, I came to understand that choosing to step back, to heal, and to start again wasn’t failure—it was the beginning of finding my way back to myself.
The peace I once had was gone. I went to therapists who told me they didn’t think my experience was “traumatic enough.” Others barely spoke, showed up late, or felt more like strangers than support. I was desperate to feel better but had no idea what I needed—or how to ask for it. I was down in that hole, and it felt achingly alone.
Eventually, my desperation led me back to school. I returned to finish my Bachelor’s degree, hoping to somehow fix myself in the process. And little by little, I did. I began to feel connected to the people around me again. I could sleep without nightmares, drive through town without being pulled back into flashbacks and intrusive memories. Most importantly, I found my purpose again—and it felt like coming home.
Training and Experience
Licenses and Certifications
- Texas Licensed Professional Counselor #79522
- Maryland Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor #LC14064
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
- 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 and connection in therapy. Because of that, I tend to use more self-disclosure than many other therapists. With that in mind, here are a few fun things you might enjoy knowing about me.
I live in Maryland, where I support my mom and my brother’s family. I have three cats—Stormy, Midnight, and Serenity—who will likely make themselves known as we work together.
You’ll quickly learn that I’m the nerdy type. I love Star Wars, Star Trek, and just about anything set in a magical or fantastical universe. Gaming is one of my favorite escapes, especially Disney’s Dreamlight Valley, Animal Crossing, Zelda, The Sims 4, and the occasional phone game. I also love visiting Disney World—it’s one of the few places where I feel fully immersed, recharged, and inspired. Expect the occasional Disney reference during our sessions.
And finally, I enjoy learning new things. I’m usually in the middle of two or three online courses at any given time, whether for professional development or just because I’m curious. I never want to stop growing.
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 neurodivergent and queer
- 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)
- 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.